A Yale University lab has crafted the first synthetic1 molecules2 that have both the targeting and response functions of antibodies. The new molecules -- synthetic antibody mimics3 -- attach themselves simultaneously4 to disease cells and disease-fighting cells. The result is a highly targeted immune response, similar to the action of natural human antibodies.Unlike antibodies, however, our molecules are synthetic organic compounds that are approximately one-twentieth the size of antibodies, said David A. Spiegel, a professor of chemistry at Yale whose lab developed the molecules. They are unlikely to cause unwanted immune reactions due to their structure, are thermally5 stable, and have the potential to be administered orally, just like traditional, small-molecule drugs.Spiegel and his team describe the research in a paper published online Dec. 16 by the Journal of the American Chemical Society.The paper looks specifically at SyAM molecules used to attack prostate cancer. Called SyAM-Ps, they work first by recognizing cancer cells and binding7 with a specific protein on their surface. Next, they also bind6 with a receptor on an immune cell. This induces a targeted response that leads to the destruction of the cancer cell.Spiegel said the process of synthesizing and optimizing8 the structure of the molecules required considerable time and effort. We now know that synthetic molecules of intermediate size possess perhaps the most important functional9 properties of antibodies -- targeting and stimulation10 of immune cells, he said.Its also noteworthy that molecules of such a small size can bring together two objects as enormous as cells, and trigger a specific functional response, entirely11 as a result of specific receptor interactions, Spiegel added.Beyond their potential for treating prostate cancer, SyAMs may have applications for treating other forms of cancer, HIV and various bacterial12 diseases.Spiegel also is a member of Yale Cancer Center.
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1 synthetic adj.合成的，人工的；综合的；n.人工制品 参考例句： We felt the salesmans synthetic friendliness.大家感觉到那位销售人员的虚情假意。 Its a synthetic diamond.这是人造钻石。
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