Developing new types of antibodies from fish genes

Expressing a novel class of heavy chain antibodies

NIH-funded research Suny Downstate Medical Center · NIH-10555257

This study is exploring a new type of antibody from cartilaginous fish that could help develop better treatments for diseases by finding things that regular antibodies might overlook, and it's being tested using specially created mice.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionSuny Downstate Medical Center NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Brooklyn, United States)
Project IDNIH-10555257 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on creating a novel class of heavy chain antibodies (HCAbs) derived from cartilaginous fish. These antibodies are unique because they do not require a light chain partner, allowing for greater flexibility and potential in drug development and immunotherapy. The project involves generating transgenic mice that express these fish antibody genes and testing their ability to recognize various immunogens. This approach aims to uncover new antigenic determinants that traditional antibodies may miss.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research would include individuals with conditions that could be targeted by novel immunotherapies.

Not a fit: Patients with conditions that do not respond to antibody-based therapies may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of more effective immunotherapies and treatments for various diseases.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of heavy chain antibodies is a relatively novel approach, there have been successful applications of similar methodologies in immunotherapy.

Where this research is happening

Brooklyn, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.