A Terasaki Institute team led by Dr. Jucaud, with Dr. Ye from UT San Antonio, developed a microfluidic biosensor for real-time antibody monitoring. This method could streamline monoclonal antibody production, cut costs, and improve patient access.
The study is featured in the journal Biosensors and Bioelectronics.
Rising Demand for Monoclonal Antibodies Highlights Need for Real-Time Production Monitoring
Monoclonal antibodies are vital for treating cancer, autoimmune, inflammatory, infectious, respiratory, neurological, and cardiovascular diseases.
With global sales over $240 billion in 2024, monoclonal antibodies require large-scale, efficient, and cost-effective production monitoring. However, current monitoring methods depend on end-point assays, which do not provide real-time insights into cellular secretion.
Dr. Jucaud’s team created the first fast, cost-effective biosensor to monitor live antibody secretion in real time. The microfluidic system reduces culture volume, concentrates antibodies, and places hybridoma cells above a PC-TIR biosensor from Dr. Ye’s team at UT San Antonio.
Rapid Antibody Secretion Analysis Accelerates Biomanufacturing Advances
This setup enables antibody analysis in one hour, helping evaluate cell lines, improve production, and identify high-secreting clones to boost manufacturing and cut costs.
“This research highlights the transformative potential of advanced biosensors in biomanufacturing,” said lead author Dr. Danial Khorsandi.
“With this platform, we can identify the true ‘powerhouse’ cells producing the highest antibody levels,” said Dr. Jucaud, Principal Investigator. “This level of precision allows us to identify and prioritize top-performing cells early in the development process.”
Targeting High-Performing Cells to Transform Monoclonal Antibody Production
“Identifying high-performing cells, which boost manufacturing efficiency, could revolutionize monoclonal antibody production—cutting costs and improving patient access,” said Dr. Jucaud.
His team expects the platform’s fast, precise, and scalable design to advance research and large-scale biomanufacturing, meeting growing global demand for antibody diagnostics and treatments.
This new system streamlines production, reduces costs, and expands patient access to vital therapies.
Read the original article on: Phys.Org
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