Camels can help prevent biochemical terror

If terrorists intend to use harmful bacteria or chemicals to attack, it is difficult to find them. However, antibodies in the blood of llamas can quickly detect these " weapons ".

Researchers at the US Naval Experimental Center in Washington experimented with antibodies, considered " magic bullets " in the organism's defense system.

Each antibody is made up of complex protein molecules that are able to adhere to a certain target. Immune cells in the blood and leukocytes use antibodies to identify foreign molecules entering the body. If " enemies " are detected, they will attack or directly kill foreign molecules to disable them.

Scientists often develop antibodies to produce anticancer drugs and other diseases. In addition, they can also be used in sensors to detect the presence of harmful chemicals and bacteria. Unfortunately, the currently used antibodies are susceptible to decomposition at high temperatures, making their application in the field limited.

Ellen Goldman, a chemist at the US Naval Experimental Center, and virologist Andrew Hayhurst of the Southwest Biochemical Research Association, investigated the antibodies of llamas. Previous studies have shown that the adhesion area of ​​antibodies to llamas, camels with humps and sharks is usually small, only about one tenth of the area of ​​adhesion on human antibodies.

Type of llamas in Peru (Photo: LiveScience)

In most animals, the antibody molecule is made up of four polypeptide chains, consisting of two identical heavy chains and two identical light chains. But antibodies of llamas, humps and sharks have only two heavy chains, no two light chains. Because of their simpler structure, they are more stable than antigens of other animals, can withstand temperatures up to 200 degrees Fahrenheit (93.3 degrees C).

The team created more than a billion types of antibodies in the laboratory based on genes taken from llamas. After conducting resistance tests against bacteria and chemicals, they found that they could accurately identify rabies, cholera, smallpox and ricin, a toxic chemical, in many continuous day.

"We are interested in making biosensors to detect biochemical hazards and these antibodies will be very useful, because they are more sustainable and do not need cold environments to survive as antibodies. another, " Goldman said.

Scientists emphasize that they are not yet able to isolate useful antibodies from dangerous chemical molecules or bacteria. Goldman claims that the antibodies they tested are successful in sticking to the target, but he and his colleagues will find antigens that are more likely to stick.

Viet Linh