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06/02/2013
Shark Immune Systems Used To Develop Anti-Cancer Drugs
A team at the University of Aberdeen has been given £1.5m funding towards a project to develop anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory diseases using the immune systems of sharks.
Scottish Enterprise and Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council have provided financial support for the work, first developed at the University a decade ago,.
The technique uses small man-made proteins closely related to structures found in the shark immune system called variable novel antigen receptors (VNARs).
The VNARs engineered by the team in the lab are being used to develop new drugs as well as to deliver drugs into the body.
Their small size provides better penetration of solid cancer tumours and also makes them capable of crossing into the brain.
The team has successfully produced over 10bn of these drug-like molecules in a library which is said to be the equivalent of "having access to 10,000 sharks".
The University’s Professor Andy Porter and Dr Caroline Barelle are heading up the research.
Professor Porter, Professor of Biotechnology and Director of the Scottish Biologics Facility, said: "We are excited and delighted with the support we have received from Scottish Enterprise and BBSRC for our research. These next-generation, targeted therapies show the potential to be more effective than current approaches, with less side-effects for patients and reduced costs of drug manufacture."
Dr Barelle, Senior Research Fellow, added: "We have already received commercial interest in our progress to date and I hope to use my industry background to help turn our exciting drug leads into a new successful biotechnology company which we will spin-out from the University of Aberdeen."
(IT)
Scottish Enterprise and Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council have provided financial support for the work, first developed at the University a decade ago,.
The technique uses small man-made proteins closely related to structures found in the shark immune system called variable novel antigen receptors (VNARs).
The VNARs engineered by the team in the lab are being used to develop new drugs as well as to deliver drugs into the body.
Their small size provides better penetration of solid cancer tumours and also makes them capable of crossing into the brain.
The team has successfully produced over 10bn of these drug-like molecules in a library which is said to be the equivalent of "having access to 10,000 sharks".
The University’s Professor Andy Porter and Dr Caroline Barelle are heading up the research.
Professor Porter, Professor of Biotechnology and Director of the Scottish Biologics Facility, said: "We are excited and delighted with the support we have received from Scottish Enterprise and BBSRC for our research. These next-generation, targeted therapies show the potential to be more effective than current approaches, with less side-effects for patients and reduced costs of drug manufacture."
Dr Barelle, Senior Research Fellow, added: "We have already received commercial interest in our progress to date and I hope to use my industry background to help turn our exciting drug leads into a new successful biotechnology company which we will spin-out from the University of Aberdeen."
(IT)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:After a dry start this morning rain will spread from the northwest across all parts. This afternoon will be dull with some patchy rain and drizzle. Becoming much milder through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 10 °C.
