What if you could design something that acts like an antibody, but cheaper, more stable, and made entirely with chemistry?
Two LACDR researchers, Sebastian Pomplun and Matthias Barz, teamed up to do just that. By merging peptide synthesis with polymer chemistry, they developed synthetic molecules that mimic the size, shape, and function of antibodies, without the cold storage, high production costs, or immune side effects.
These ‘bottlebrush-like’ nanoscale particles are tough, modular, and ready for next-gen therapies. The concept worked from the very first experiment. The potential? Faster drug development, better patient access, and new pathways for targeting disease.
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