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Using Molecular Dynamics (MD) in modeling broadly neutralizing antibodies against influenza viruses and its implications for developing a “universal flu vaccine”
Author(s) -
LaCosta Will,
Beckman Sarah,
Friend Julia,
Krautler Elliabeth,
Pacific Luke,
Pulapura Sharanya,
Shim Peter C,
Herman Tim,
Wriggers Willy,
Xu Huafeng,
De Luke
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.27.1_supplement.554.5
Subject(s) - hemagglutinin (influenza) , virology , antibody , virus , biology , influenza a virus , immune escape , lineage (genetic) , immune system , immunology , genetics , gene
Influenza evolves rapidly to evade existing human immunity and seasonal flu vaccines. The recent discovery of broadly neutralizing antibodies against influenza points to the possibility of “universal flu vaccines”, which may protect against viral strains over many seasons. The SMART team from Pingry High School, funded by grants from NIH‐CTSA, is using a 3D‐printer from MSOE to model the interactions between one lineage of such antibodies and influenza hemagglutinin. By targeting the receptor binding pocket of influenza hemagglutinin, these antibodies make it difficult for the virus to develop escape mutations without compromising its ability to bind to sialic acid, a critical requirement for the virus to attach to and infect the host cells. Based on biochemical experiments and molecular dynamics simulations carried out at multiple research institutions including Harvard Medical School and D. E. Shaw Research, the Pingry SMART Team will create 3D models of antibody‐hemagglutinin complexes. These models will be used to investigate how the immune system generates effective antibodies against pathogens while exploring how biochemical data and molecular simulations contribute to development of the next‐generation influenza vaccines.