Understanding protein-protein interactions at the epitope level is crucial to the successful design of novel antibody-based products. Bactolife is a biotech company that specialises in a new, innovative category of functional food ingredients and feed additives based on binding proteins — single-domain antibody constructs that offer high specificity and affinity to protect against enteric pathogens and sustain a healthy gut microbiota.

While current in vitro assays can evaluate specificity and affinity, they lack the epitope binding information that is essential for determining an antibody’s functionality and efficacy. To bridge the gap between in vitro research and real-world health impact, a detailed understanding of the molecular mode of action is required, yet challenges persist when working with domains of native virulence factors.

This pilot project is leveraging multidisciplinary competencies in Denmark and Norway to perform the structural characterisation of four single-domain antibodies that have been developed and characterised by Bactolife. These antibodies have demonstrated their potential for in vitro binding and blocking capacity against the protein virulence factors of four different enteric pathogens. The pilot project combines core infrastructures related to molecular dynamics predictions (DTU) and structural studies using HDX-MS (UIO) to deepen our understanding and facilitate the efficient and effective development of antibody-based products.

For further information about this HALRIC pilot project, please contact:

 

Nikolina Sekulić
University of Oslo
nikolina.sekulic@biotek.uio.no