New biological antibiotics can beat tuberculosis

Good news! It is long overdue that humanity defeats the age old nemesis tuberculosis!

"... Researchers at Tel Aviv University have demonstrated in laboratory mice that monoclonal antibodies can be substituted for antibiotics to hinder the growth of tuberculosis germs.

It’s estimated that around a quarter of the world’s population is infected by tuberculosis. ..."

"... In the present study, we explore B cell responses during ATB [active TB], while focusing on the immune-dominant antigen PstS1. We isolate and analyze a total of 85 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) from one patient with elevated anti-PstS1 responses and find two antibodies, p4-36 and p4-163, from distinct clones that demonstrate inhibitory activity against both BCG and Mtb. Structural analysis reveals that the two antibodies are directed against two different epitopes on PstS1 and do not compete with one another. When administered prior to infection of Balb/c mice with Mtb, both antibodies cause a 50% reduction in lung bacterial burden. Our data show that both p4-36 and p4-163 exhibit antibacterial activity and provide the first proof of concept that protective antibody responses can be generated during the course of active tuberculosis disease ..."

New biological antibiotics can beat tuberculosis - ISRAEL21c This marks the first time that researchers have managed to develop a ‘biological antibiotic’ from human antibodies.

Here is the referenced paper:

Human antibodies targeting a Mycobacterium transporter protein mediate protection against tuberculosis (open access)

TAU, Harvard Researchers Build Human 'Body-On-Chips' To Better Predict Drug Response

Amazing stuff! Up to 10 organ-on-chip were fluidically linked together to form a a functional human Body-on-Chips platform! 

"The interrogator [body-on-chips platform] enabled the team to culture, perfuse, and link the living human cultured tissues in a multi-Organ Chip system, as well as add and sample the medium in a fully programmable way using the device’s robotic liquid transfer capabilities, while continuously monitoring tissue integrity ..."

This should promote and boost diagnostics, drug testing and so much more ...

TAU, Harvard Researchers Build Human 'Body-On-Chips' To Better Predict Drug Response | News Briefs: A team of over 50 scientists created and linked up eight organs-on-chips, including kidney, liver, brain, and heart, to pave the way for improved clinical testing. | NoCamels

Engineered T cells could assassinate solid tumor cells - ISRAEL21c

CAR T cells capable of treating more cancer types than previously possible!

Engineered T cells could assassinate solid tumor cells - ISRAEL21c: Novel immunotherapy extends therapy now used in fighting leukemia,
Israeli researchers say.