The hottest Antibodies Substack posts right now

Breakthrough cases of measles after full vaccination are rare but possible.
Transmission of measles after vaccination, especially if asymptomatic, is uncommon.
Measles vaccine differs from Covid-19 vaccine in mutation, infection, and longevity of immunity.

Combining antibodies directed at different viral targets helps neutralize infections like hepatitis B virus and RSV more effectively.
Serial passage of virally infected cells during preclinical development helps ensure the continued efficacy of antibody combinations.
Engineering antibodies through genetic manipulation can enhance effector functions and improve target specificity, increasing their efficacy in fighting infections.

Synthetic biology can provide alternatives to traditional antibodies in biomedical research to improve progress and reproducibility.
Current production and use of antibodies have intrinsic and extrinsic challenges, such as compatibility issues, cost, and reproducibility concerns.
Moving towards new antibody technologies, like recombinant antibodies and phage display, could lead to better solutions in biomedical research, though adoption may require top-down support from funding agencies.

RSV is a virus that primarily affects infants, young children, and older adults, leading to severe respiratory issues like bronchiolitis and pneumonia.
RSV season typically starts in the fall, peaks in the winter, and varies in intensity and timing from year to year and by region.
New vaccines and antibody injections are available to help protect against RSV, with options for older adults, pregnant women, and babies/toddlers, aiming to reduce severe outcomes and transmission.

An innovative Fc engineering approach can adjust antibody-dependent cytokine release without impacting cell-killing functions. This shows that manipulating cytokine release independently is possible.
Different IgG isotypes have varying abilities to stimulate proinflammatory cytokine release. This indicates the importance of isotype selection beyond just cytotoxicity.
Engineering antibodies to selectively engage FcγRs can potentially enhance immune responses. This opens up new possibilities for optimizing antibody immunotherapies against cancer.

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The state of the pandemic in the US is improving, with falling COVID cases, hospitalizations, and deaths due to widespread vaccination and population immunity.
Vaccines and booster shots are crucial for preventing severe illness from COVID, especially for high-risk individuals, and studies show they are effective against death and hospitalization.
The approval of vaccines for kids ages 5-11 is on the horizon, potentially offering relief to parents and helping pave the way for a return to normalcy for children.