posted by admin on Nov 10
Llamas, Alpacas, Camels and other camelids are offering the world of medicine something real special!
They possess an anti-body totally different to any other mammal, alongside the ‘normal’ ones that we already have - and it could change the fight against disease!
So, What Is It?
Well, during some random research in the 1980’s, a group of students were given a project to investigate camel antibodies. All mammals have a standard type of antibody type - the heavy and light chain antibody for those interested - but camels and other members of the same evolutionary branch also have a different type - an antibody with only heavy chains.
The scientist in charge of the discovery named them ‘nanobodies’ and they have many interesting features that are beneficial to science - and us!
Antibodies Do What, Exactly?
Now, antibodies are key to the mammalian immune system, and it is their job to target specific ‘nasty’ bugs and cells in the body and immobilise or destroy them - to stop them harming the body.
Medicine at the moment has to ‘grow’ normal antibodies in a time consuming and expense way, and they can only target certain illnesses - however, the new smaller nanobodies could be manufactured much more easily and cheaply AND they can fight many more illnesses including intestinal disorders, cancer and possibly even Alzheimer’s disease!
Other potential uses include binding to certain proteins in developing organisms to see which cells are responsible for certain processes and therefore highlighting the role of certain cells in the nervous system and the like!
Another possible angle for these tiny nanobodies is to be grown inside of plants and vegetables. Now, this could be to help that plant to defend itself against pests or disease - but it could also be a way to offer whatever eats it a defence against something else.
Imagine cattle being able to eat themselves healthy without the need for other medication - or humans on a diet of certain fruit to make sure they get enough antibodies for a specific illness!
Whatever will they think of next……
See Related Article On Alpaca’s: Latest Fox Deterrent
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