Norovirus Binding Polypeptide Epitope Targeting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current antibodies for norovirus are inadequate in preventing infection and detecting broad strains, with limited understanding of antibody binding epitopes at the structural level, necessitating improved antibodies that can effectively target norovirus genotype II.10.

Innovation Solution

Development of a binding polypeptide specifically targeting an epitope in the amino acid sequence corresponding to amino acids 250 to 300 of the norovirus genotype II.10 capsid polypeptide, which competes with VHH antibodies for binding to norovirus capsid proteins, offering broad recognition and high affinity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If current antibodies are used for norovirus detection and prevention, then they can bind to norovirus capsid proteins, but they fail to effectively prevent infection and detect broad strains due to limited understanding of antibody binding epitopes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness in preventing infection and detecting broad strainsVSAvoidlimited understanding of antibody binding epitopes at structural level

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the norovirus capsid protein into specific epitope regions (amino acids 250-300) and develops binding polypeptides that specifically target these segmented regions. This segmentation approach allows for precise targeting of conserved epitopes across different norovirus genotypes, improving both detection breadth and prevention effectiveness while reducing the complexity of understanding entire capsid structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The binding polypeptide is designed to recognize a conserved epitope sequence (amino acids 250-300) that is present across multiple norovirus genotypes. This universal binding capability allows a single polypeptide to detect and prevent infection from various norovirus strains, enhancing reliability without requiring multiple different antibodies for different strains.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If antibodies target specific epitopes on norovirus capsid proteins, then they can provide broad recognition across genotypes, but current antibodies lack high affinity and effective inhibition capability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebroad recognition across norovirus genotypesVSAvoidaffinity and inhibition capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the binding parameters of the polypeptide by selecting and engineering specific amino acid sequences that maximize affinity for the target epitope (amino acids 250-300). This parameter optimization ensures high binding strength and effective inhibition while maintaining the ability to recognize conserved regions across different norovirus genotypes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If more research is conducted to understand antibody binding epitopes at the structural level, then better antibodies can be developed, but this increases the complexity and time required for vaccine and antiviral development

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequality of antibodies for prevention and detectionVSAvoidtime required for vaccine and antiviral development

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary structural analysis of the norovirus capsid protein to identify conserved epitope regions (amino acids 250-300) before developing binding polypeptides. This preliminary action of mapping epitope structures in advance allows for more efficient antibody development, reducing the time required for subsequent vaccine and antiviral development while ensuring high quality binding agents.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The binding polypeptide effectively recognizes and inhibits norovirus infection across various genotypes, allowing for broad detection and potential use in diagnostic and therapeutic applications, including vaccine development.

Implementation Method 1

a binding polypeptide specifically binding to an epitope comprised in an amino acid sequence corresponding to amino acids 250 to 300 of the norovirus genotype II.10 capsid polypeptide

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAntibody-antigen binding:

Data Source

PatentUS11555063B2Norovirus antibodies

Publication Date: 2023.01.17 GRIFFITH UNIVERSITY

AI summary

The present invention relates to a binding polypeptide specifically binding to an epitope comprised in an amino acid sequence corresponding to amino acids 250 to 300 of the norovirus genotype II.10 capsid polypeptide, and to a polynucleotide encoding the same. The present invention further relates to a composition comprising the binding polypeptide according to the present invention and a carrier, and to the binding polypeptide or the composition comprising the same use in diagnosis and/or for use in medicine. Further more, the present invention relates to kits, devices, vaccines, methods, and uses related to the binding polypeptide of the present invention.