Camel cells may be answer to Alzheimer’s

KOLKATA: The Calcutta University’s zoology department is at an advanced stage of research with camel cells that can provide breakthrough solutions to tackling severe diseases like Alzheimer’s, asthma and cystic fibrosis to even third degree burns. Researchers said they’re preparing to apply for patent. It has signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Research Centre on Camel (NRCC), Bikaner, for research on camelid antibody.

“This will be a rapid detection kit of emerging pathogen. The earlier kits couldn’t detect them quickly, but this can do it in three days,” said Ena Ray Banerjee, associate professor, department of zoology. Explaining how the treatment will work, she told TOI: “The camel cell creates immunoglobulin. It detects and neutralizes virus, bacteria, cancer cells, protozoa and other harmful elements attacking the body.”

In case of Alzheimer’s, the neuro degeneration starts killing tissues and a brain transplant isn’t the easiest solution, the professor said. “In many cases, CT scan doesn’t detect the cause — maybe the neural bombardment is anomalous. This is a clinical situation. Death starts from a degenerating nucleus. For regeneration, no one knows the exact markers. With camelids, the markers can be identified that will facilitate the process,” she added.

According to Ray Banerjee, camelid antibodies can also target critical reasons that cause asthmatic attack. “It could be a diagnostic tool, easy like the pregnancy kit. The treatment could be in the form of an inhaler or ointment,” she explained.

From third-degree burn injuries to chronic ailments like acne, dandruff and even body odour, a topical (superficial) administration of antibodies will be enough to treat the condition. “Cardiovascular disease, degenerative lung disease, cystic fibrosis, multiple sclerosis and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, among others, can be addressed with the camelid treatment,” said Ray Banerjee. The Bengal department of biotechnology and the Centre’s Engineering Research Board have given funds for the research.

The researcher further explained the vision of the department. “The proprietary technology that the laboratory proposes to develop are eco-compatible — targeted biobodies or nanobodies for healthcare applications and solutions. These are miniscule antibodies, engineered to be targeted against various pathogens and their toxins as well as rogue immune molecules. We propose to develop various applications and product lines based on this technology for human and animal healthcare uses. The lab plans to develop a library of these antibody molecules from which antibodies suitable for a wide range of applications can be pulled out. The engineered antibodies will be extremely small in size and can be fused together to increase their sensitivity or can be tagged with immunomodulatory molecules to make therapeutic products,” she told TOI.