ADC Synthesis in Flow

Scientists from the University of Bristol, CNRS and Imophoron Ltd worked with the computer technology giant Oracle to develop a new kind of vaccine that needs no refrigeration. They used synthetic biology, cryo-electron microscopy and high-performance cloud computing to produce a candidate vaccine against the mosquito-borne chikungunya virus. Their findings could revolutionise the way vaccines are designed, developed and stored.

Monoclonal antibodies, like the drugs Avastin (bevacizumab), Herceptin (trastuzumab), and Rituxin (rituximab), are effective in treating a wide range of cancer types such as lung cancer, breast cancer, lymphoma, and others. By binding to cancer antigens, monoclonal antibodies mark the cells for destruction by the immune system. Clinical trials of more monoclonal antibodies for additional cancer types are ongoing.

Spinal-cord injuries affect about half a million people each year and can leave patients completely paralysed below the site of injury. Currently, damage to this precious bundle of nerve fibres is irreversible. Researchers are working to understand why the nerves of the central nervous system fail to repair themselves, in the hope of finding ways to reboot the regeneration process.