Speaker: Mikael Lund

The Antibodies in Solution: a LINXS – NIST Webinar Series provides background information related to the currently ongoing LINXS antibody research program. This is a concerted experimental and theoretical effort that aims to investigate the properties of monoclonal antibodies in solution, which comprise a major platform for potential drug candidates and are of high academic and pharmaceutical interest. An international consortium of researchers at academic institutions, research centers, NIST and Novartis has teamed up for this. Didactical lectures given by members of the consortium on different experimental and theoretical topics that are highly relevant for state-of-the-art antibody research as well as insights from pharmaceutical industry will be broadcasted. A central aspect of the webinar series will be to illustrate the full power of neutron and X-ray scattering science that can be achieved in combination with complementary experimental methods and different unifying simulation techniques.

Abstract:

Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) are important for biological function as well as for a range of technical applications including food formulation and vaccine development. This presentation gives an introduction to the multitude of weak, non-bonded intermolecular forces that contribute to PPIs, and how these are affected by solution conditions. We briefly cover the origin of van der Waals forces; hydrophobic interactions; electrostatics; and ionic screening. We then proceed with a deeper dive into important, but lesser-known corners of the field. This includes salting in and out, i.e. Hofmeister series; the effect of multivalent ions; and inter-protein fluctuation forces due to acid/base equilibria.

Bio:

Professor of Theoretical Chemistry at Lund University. Mikael Lund's area of expertise is in (bio-)physical chemistry with focus on aqueous electrolyte solutions. He has studied protein-protein; protein-ion; and protein-surface interactions using experiment, theory, and computer simulations. Website: https://www.teokem.lu.se/~mikael