New Screening Method Speeds CAR-T Drug Discovery
Scientists from the University of Birmingham and Leicester, in collaboration with the Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, have developed a novel screening method for therapeutic molecules. Published in the Royal Society of Chemistry's Chemical Science, the method uses mass spectrometry to identify effective protein-crosslinking pairs for CAR-T cell therapies.
The new method, developed by researchers led by Dr. Richard Doveston at the University of Leicester, focuses on measuring the precise mass of protein pairs and their 'glue'. This allows for a quick assessment of the 'glue's' effectiveness in treating diseases like breast cancer and Parkinson's.
The technique provides a 'snapshot' of protein interactions when a potential drug is added. This speed and ease of data gathering make mass spectrometry an effective tool for identifying promising drug compounds. The research is a significant advancement in the field of CAR-T cell therapies.
The University of Birmingham and Leicester teams' work, published in the Royal Society of Chemistry's flagship journal, offers a new approach to therapeutic molecule screening. This method could accelerate the discovery of effective protein-crosslinking pairs, potentially leading to improved treatments for various diseases.
