Affimer reagents enable targeted delivery of therapeutic agents and RNA via virus-like particles.

Monoclonal antibodies have revolutionized therapies, but non-immunoglobulin scaffolds are becoming compelling alternatives owing to their adaptability. Their ability to be labeled with imaging or cytotoxic compounds and to create multimeric proteins is an attractive strategy for therapeutics. Focusing on HER2, a frequently overexpressed receptor in breast cancer, this study addresses some limitations of conventional targeting moieties by harnessing the potential of these scaffolds.

Green Biologics: Harnessing the Power of Plants to Produce Pharmaceuticals.

Plants are increasingly used for the production of high-quality biological molecules for use as pharmaceuticals and biomaterials in industry. Plants have proved that they can produce life-saving therapeutic proteins (Elelyso™-Gaucher's disease treatment, ZMapp™-anti-Ebola monoclonal antibodies, seasonal flu vaccine, Covifenz™-SARS-CoV-2 virus-like particle vaccine); however, some of these therapeutic proteins are difficult to bring to market, which leads to serious difficulties for the manufacturing companies. The closure of one of the leading companies in the sector (the Canadian biotech company Medicago Inc.

Production of Metallic Alloy Nanowires and Particles Templated Using Tomato Mosaic Virus (ToMV).

We demonstrate a simple, low-energy method whereby tomato mosaic virus (ToMV) particles can be used to template the production of nanowires and particles consisting of alloys of gold (Au), platinum (Pt) and palladium (Pd) in various combinations. Selective nanowire growth within the inner channel of the particles was achieved using the polymeric capping agent polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and the reducing agent ascorbic acid. The reaction conditions also resulted in the deposition of alloy nanoparticles on the external surface of the rods in addition to the nanowire structures within the internal cavity.

LoCKAmp: lab-on-PCB technology for <3 minute virus genetic detection.

The recent COVID-19 outbreak highlighted the need for lab-on-chip diagnostic technology fit for real-life deployment in the field. Existing bottlenecks in multistep analytical microsystem integration and upscalable, standardized fabrication techniques delayed the large-scale deployment of lab-on-chip solutions during the outbreak, throughout a global diagnostic test shortage. This study presents a technology that has the potential to address these issues by redeploying and repurposing the ubiquitous printed circuit board (PCB) technology and manufacturing infrastructure.

Increased Clinical Signs and Mortality in IFNAR Mice Immunised with the Bluetongue Virus Outer-Capsid Proteins VP2 or VP5, after Challenge with an Attenuated Heterologous Serotype.

Bluetongue is an economically important disease of domesticated and wild ruminants caused by bluetongue virus (BTV). There are at least 36 different serotypes of BTV (the identity of which is determined by its outer-capsid protein VP2), most of which are transmitted by biting midges. IFNAR mice immunised with plant-expressed outer-capsid protein VP2 (rVP2) of BTV serotypes -1, -4 or -8, or the smaller outer-capsid protein rVP5 of BTV-10, or mock-immunised with PBS, were subsequently challenged with virulent strains of BTV-4 or BTV-8, or with an attenuated clone of BTV-1 (BTV-1RG).