Life Science Challenge

How Pathogens Interact with Human Cells

Our aim: To discover new ways of detecting, preventing and combatting human infectious diseases by discovering the mechanisms by which viruses and bacteria interact with human cells and tissues.

Platform

Mechanistic Proteomics

Proteins are the workhorses of living cells. Proteins operate in a highly dynamic environment interacting with other proteins and other types of molecules including sugars, lipids and nucleic acids.

Open Science

AntigenApp

Web-app for managing nanobody data.

Case study

Biotech deal paves way for new COVID-19 treatments and more

The Franklin’s first licensing agreement – with US-based IntegerBio – advances its pioneering nanobody technology with industry.

Case study

Covid-fighting llamas at the Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition

The Rosalind Franklin Institute and University of Reading have worked together to create an interactive exhibition about their research on Covid-19 treatments for the Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition in London.

Case study

Franklin researchers demonstrate ‘significant potential’ of llama antibodies as potent Covid-19 treatment

Scientists at the Franklin have shown that a unique type of tiny antibody produced by llamas and camels could provide a new frontline treatment against Covid-19.

Project

Disease X

The World Health Organisation lists Disease X (the name for a currently unknown pathogen that could cause a future epidemic) as a very serious threat to human health. To prepare for Disease X, we are building a pipeline to rapidly identify, and test nanobodies, for detecting and potentially treating future viral diseases

Platform

Nanobodies Discovery Platform

Nanobodies are single domain antibodies derived from the unique heavy chain only immunoglobulins of camels, llamas, and alpacas.