Publications by authors named "R R Ketchem"

Anti-HIV envelope broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) are alternatives to conventional antiretrovirals with the potential to prevent and treat infection, reduce latent reservoirs, and/or mediate a functional cure. Clinical trials with "first generation" bnAbs used alone or in combination show promising antiviral effects but also highlight that additional engineering of "enhanced" antibodies will be required for optimal clinical utility, while preserving or enhancing cGMP manufacturing capability. Here we report the engineering of an anti-CD4 binding-site (CD4bs) bnAb, N49P9.

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Background: We are entering a new era of antibody discovery and optimization where machine learning (ML) processes will become indispensable for the design and development of therapeutics.

Methods: We have constructed a Humanoid Antibody Library for the discovery of therapeutics that is an initial step towards leveraging the utility of artificial intelligence and ML. We describe how we began our validation of the library for antibody discovery by isolating antibodies against a target of pandemic concern, SARS-CoV-2.

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Over 75% of malaria-attributable deaths occur in children under the age of 5 years. However, the first malaria vaccine recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for pediatric use, RTS,S/AS01 (Mosquirix), has modest efficacy. Complementary strategies, including monoclonal antibodies, will be important in efforts to eradicate malaria.

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In order to promote insight into providing secure teaching and learning environments within schools, this study sought to: (a) explore instructional practices utilized by educators to promote occupational safety and health (OSH) and hearing protection within career and technical education programs; and (b) identify what barriers may exist which prevent instructors from teaching OSH and hearing protection. Utilizing a focus group methodology, this research examined automotive and diesel technology instructors within an eastern US state. Upon analysis, safety appears to be a priority for participants in this study.

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The broadly neutralizing anti-HIV antibody, 10-1074, is a highly somatically hypermutated IgG1 being developed for prophylaxis in sub-Saharan Africa. A series of algorithms were applied to identify potentially destabilizing residues in the framework of the Fv region. Of 17 residues defined, a variant was identified encompassing 1 light and 3 heavy chain residues, with significantly increased conformational stability while maintaining full neutralization activity.

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