Search bioRxiv⌕ Search

Biology subjects

Cazaux, S.

Publications and source records attributed to Cazaux, S..

2 recordsLinked to original sources

Novel Library Assembly Technique for Developing Nanobodies Targeting IPNv VP2 Protein

Infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNv) poses a significant threat to the global salmon farming industry, causing high mortality and economic losses. Given the limitations of traditional antibody therapies in aquaculture, we explored the development of nanobodies targeting the VP2 protein of IPNv. We developed a novel nanobody library generation method using a streamlined assembly protocol based on Type IIS restriction enzymes. This method enabled quick and efficient bacterial display library generation, and concatenated, multi-level cloning through an ingenious design in which the ligation of the first level generates a new restriction site that can be utilized in the subsequent cloning level, allowing for rapid transfer to other vectors. By combining this assembly approach with density gradient-based enrichment and high-throughput screening, we identified nanobodies that specifically recognize IPNvs VP2 protein. Notably, the P9 clone demonstrated high specificity for IPNv in immunofluorescence assays, highlighting its diagnostic potential. Our method not only accelerates nanobody library generation but also enhances its quality and adaptability, marking a significant advancement in enhancing the responsiveness of nanobody development platforms against emerging pathogen outbreaks.

molecular biology↗

qByte: Open-source isothermal fluorimeter for democratizing analysis of nucleic acids, proteins and cells

Access to affordable and reliable scientific instrumentation remains a significant barrier to the democratization of healthcare and scientific research. In the field of biotechnology, in particular, the complexity, cost, and infrastructure requirements of many instruments continue to limit their accessibility, especially in resource-limited environments. Despite the recent increase in the development of open-source tools, driven by advances in digital fabrication and electronic prototyping, few of these projects have reached large-scale implementation or validation in real-world settings. Here, we present qByte, an open-source, 8-tube isothermal fluorimeter designed to overcome these barriers by offering a cost-effective ($60) yet production-ready solution. qByte leverages standard digital manufacturing and Printed Circuit Board (PCB) assembly techniques and is designed to be portable, making it ideal for both laboratory and field use. The device has been benchmarked against commercial real-time thermocyclers and spectrophotometers, showing comparable results across four key applications: nucleic acid amplification and detection, analysis of protein activity and stability, genetic construct characterization, and bacterial viability tests. Further testing including the on-site diagnosis of human parasites in Kumasi, Ghana, and field work in Patagonia, Chile, validated qBytes reliability in real-world conditions. Taken together, our results proved qByte as flexible and reliable equipment for a variety of biological tests and applications, while its affordability and open-source design simplify further development and allow adaptation to the needs of future users.

bioengineering↗