Revolutionising Antibody Engineering: The Groundbreaking Work of Sir Gregory Winter
Ahead of Oxford Global’s Antibody Engineering 2023 event next week, we take a look at the work of Sir Gregory Winter, a distinguished scientist and Nobel laureate, who has made groundbreaking contributions to the field of antibody engineering. His pioneering work on antibody humanisation and the development of antibody phage display has revolutionised the production and optimisation of therapeutic antibodies.
One of Winter's key contributions lies in the realm of antibody humanisation. Early monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) derived from animals posed challenges when administered to humans due to potential immune responses. Winter developed innovative techniques to "humanise" these antibodies by transferring the antigen-binding regions from animal-derived antibodies to human antibody frameworks. This breakthrough significantly reduced immunogenicity, allowing for safer and more effective therapeutic applications.
- Computational Tools and AI/ML for Antibody Engineering
- Sony and Astellas Team Up to Create Breakthrough ADC Oncology Platform
Antibody phage display was another area of Winter’s work that revolutionised antibody engineering. By employing bacteriophages (viruses that infect bacteria) to display antibody fragments on their surface, Winter enabled high-throughput screening and selection of antibodies with desired properties. This technology facilitated the rapid discovery of antibodies with high affinity and specificity for various targets, propelling the development of novel therapeutics for diseases such as cancer, autoimmune disorders, and infectious diseases.
In recognition of his exceptional contributions, Gregory Winter was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2018. His work has had a profound and lasting impact on the field of antibody engineering, enabling the creation of a diverse range of therapeutic antibodies. Today, these engineered antibodies play a vital role in targeted therapies, immunotherapy, and diagnostics, offering new avenues for treating previously challenging diseases.
Join Oxford Global’s annual Antibody Engineering 2023: Online event today. This intensive 2-day meeting delves into the latest in antibody engineering and antibody-based therapeutics & a meeting place for experts working within engineering, computational tools and antibody-based therapeutics. Download the agenda to join prominent leaders and scientists as they share new case studies, innovative data, and exciting industry outlooks.
Related Resources
