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It is a rapid method to generate new antibodies based on predicted epitope sequences of escape filoviruses mutants and has potential for rapid and inexpensive field-based diagnosis
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Summary Researchers at the University of New Mexico have developed a panel of novel diagnostic antibodies for all six pathogenic filoviruses. This technology includes novel platforms for generation of intrinsically fluorescent antibodies (scFv) that can be reconfigured rapidly to respond to mutations at target pathogen epitopes. Using libraries of VH and VL of antibody fragments derived from immunized mice, researchers were able to synthesize large repertoires of high-affinity fluorescent antibodies at a fraction of the cost of conventional monoclonals. The production of these antibodies is innovative, inexpensive, and rapid, and the use of multiple inherently fluorescent antibodies provides for flexibility in diagnostic use. Advantages/applications; A pan-filovirus diagnostic can be developed that targets all six pathogenic strains, recombinant fluorescent antibodies can be generated at very little cost compared to conventional monoclonal antibodies, intrinsic fluorescence permits precise ratios determination of fluorescent signal to antibody-antigen interactions, therefore facilitating quantitative measurements of target virus, does not require the extensive training and expensive equipment used in PCR-based diagnostic assays and use of multiple fluorophores simultaneously would allow detection of multiple pathogens.