University of Texas San Antonio researchers are producing groundbreaking work in biomanufacturing. To specifically test for chlamydia, the researchers have created a novel PC-TIR biosensor that holds immense potential. A new article published in Biosensors and Bioelectronics has reported such an advance. It introduces a rapid and precise solution for high-throughput antibody-secreting cell characterization. Dr. Danial Khorsandi, first author of the study, is enthusiastic about the promise of advanced biosensor technologies. He’s convinced they can revolutionize the way monoclonal antibodies are produced.
By 2024, worldwide sales on mAbs were well over $240 billion. With demand for these products skyrocketing, there is an increasingly acute need for rapid, efficient biomanufacturing techniques. It is with this novel antibody biosensing platform that researchers believe they can better address the increasing demand for antibody-based diagnostics and therapeutics.
Key Features of the PC-TIR Biosensor
Back in his lab, Dr. Khorsandi along with his colleagues created the PC-TIR biosensor. This powerful new tool enables researchers to profile antibody secretion in under one hour! This kind of rapid analysis is incredibly important for advancing biomanufacturing processes to help us produce more cost effectively and efficiently. The biosensor functions based upon a microfluidic, laminar design that reduces culture volume while focusing antibodies to a specified area, optimizing sensitivity in the detection process.
The hybridoma cell lines are sited immediately above the PC-TIR biosensor. Such a configuration allows the real-time monitoring of live antibody secretion dynamics. This unique configuration has proven to be an incredibly valuable resource for cell line to cell line comparisons. It is useful for the identification of high-secreting clones, which are paramount for the enhancement of production processes.
Dr. Jucaud, the Principal Investigator spearheading this research, underscored the potential of the platform’s scalability. This flexibility strongly contributes to making it an ideal platform for both basic research and industry-driven applications. The capacity to track real-time secretion dynamics will be a game changer for researchers looking to improve their biomanufacturing processes.
Implications for Biomanufacturing
The applications of this biosensing technology reach far past the walls of academia. Additionally, Dr. Khorsandi noted his desire that the PC-TIR biosensor function as an important enabler to help accelerate industrial-scale biomanufacturing initiatives. As demand for monoclonal antibodies grows, production methods that satisfy this demand are ever more critical.
Such cooperation among researchers underscores the need for multidisciplinary approaches in addressing complex challenges faced by the biomanufacturing industry. This study provides some pretty important context. This would open the door to new, safer, and more efficient ways to produce therapeutic antibodies which would better help the patients that depend on these valuable therapies.
The new platform accelerates antibody characterization and promises faster turnaround times. In doing so, it hastens the creation of medical diagnostic tools and therapies that use monoclonal antibodies. This is in keeping with broader global health efforts to provide patients with the best possible outcomes through timely access to cutting-edge medical advancements.
Future Directions
Given all of this, Dr. Jucaud’s team is optimistic about what lies ahead. They hope that their biosensing platform will not only improve existing production processes, but will open up new avenues of biomanufacturing research. Further economic benefits Robust cost savings and productivity gains could be achieved from integrating cutting-edge biosensors into routine practice.
The medical research community is hard at work examining ways in which monoclonal antibodies can be applied to various therapeutic areas. Innovations such as the PC-TIR biosensor are quickly becoming critical tools, which should serve to revolutionize biomanufacturing efforts moving forward.