Retrieval of live pathogens from clinical samples

Scientists have outlined a method which enables the rapid isolation and concentration of infectious bacteria from complex clinical samples to help speed up bacterial identification.

FcMBL is a recombinant form of the human blood protein, Mannose Binding Lectin (MBL), fused to a portion of the antibody Fc domain. The engineered protein can bind to more than 90 different microbial pathogens and toxins, ranging from fungi to bacteria, viruses and parasites and it even binds antibiotic-resistant organisms.

For detail see: Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard.

Posted by Dr. Tim Sandle