We aim to isolate potent antibody candidates against emerging infectious diseases and to bioengineer these lead antibodies to improve their therapeutic efficacy, notably by increasing their entry and accumulation within viral replication sites, such as the lung and the brain.
We also strive to facilitate the administration of antibody-based treatments, with a focus on developing oral and DNA encoded antibody formulations.
We utilized human samples, flow cytometry-based cell sorting (FACS), cloning technics, a variety of in vitro assays, whole mice imaging, and animal models to isolate therapeutic antibodies and characterize their biodistribution and potency in vitro and in vivo.
The incidence of non-polio enteroviruses induced acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), a currently incurable polio-like paralytic disease, has steadily increased in pediatric populations. Various enteroviruses can enter and replicate within the central nervous system (CNS), from which most drugs including monoclonal antibodies are excluded. Our team is isolating broadly neutralizing monoclonal antibodies against the two most prominent non-polio enteroviruses associated with acute flaccid myelitis and will modify these specific antibodies to allow entry in the CNS thus increasing their therapeutic efficacy.
The 2022-2023 mpox outbreak was the largest ever recorded, with sustained transmission seen in 115 countries. In August 2024, the current mpox outbreak was declare a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), the second time in 3 years that mpox triggered such an alarm.
There are no approved treatments against mpox disease. In recent clinical trials, tecovirimat, the preferred antiviral that is administered under compassionate use, demonstrated no protection. Our team is isolating potent human monoclonal antibodies from a cohort of immunized individuals. We will then modifying the protective antibodies to allow oral delivery and intramuscular administration of DNA-encoded antibodies.
DNA_mAb
Oral
“If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together”
Hugues Fausther-Bovendo, PhD
Birte Kalveram
We are looking for a highly motivated Postdoctoral fellow! Recent PhD candidates with experience in cloning, immunological assays (Elisa, microneutralization, cell culture) or rodent models of infection are encouraged to apply.