Within the small volume of a single cell, reactants are bound together in a confined space through highly evolved chemical recognition events. The way nature controls chemical reactivity within a cell is what any organic chemist could dream of: multiple reactions that can be specifically controlled in complex mixtures without any cross-reactivity.

Inspired by this, a group of researchers from the University of Rome has published A study in Nature in which the use of antibodies to control chemical reactions is demonstrated.

IgG antibodies

The study has thus demonstrated the possibility of using bivalent biomolecules (i.e., IgG antibodies) to induce proximity between reagents and thus control their chemical reactivity.

For the first time, therefore, the possibility of controlling reactions with antibodies is opened, which allows the formation of reaction products to be controlled, and that these are generated only in the presence of specific antibodies.

These reaction products can be designed to be functional molecules, with therapeutic use, for example.

In this specific study, the formation of an anticoagulant agent is demonstrated through the reaction induced by the presence of the specific antibody. We see how only in the presence of the antibody in question, the anticoagulant agent is formed and then inhibits the activity of thrombin (a key enzyme in blood clotting).

The strategy is very versatile, allowing it to be applied to any type of reaction (that is, generating a wide variety of products) and to be designed for any type of IgG antibody.

IgG antibodies are notable biomarkers; They are the signs that provide us with indications about many diseases and how our immune system counteracts them. The potential ability of IgG antibodies to control chemical reactions would allow the formation of different molecules, ranging from imaging to therapeutic agents, only when a specific diagnostic IgG antibody is present in our body. It is thus predicted that this strategy could find applications in diagnosis and therapy.

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The news

It is possible to use antibodies to control chemical reactions and form certain types of molecules with therapeutic use

was originally published in

Xataka Science

by
Sergio Parra

.

Post memes ridiculing those who They refuse to get vaccinated for COVID-19 It is something that has become fashionable, as have memes ridiculing those who are in favor of the vaccine.

However, neither the real objective of these memes is to change the opinions of others, nor are they very effective (rather they produce the opposite effect). In a nutshell, Posting memes on social media unlikely to change minds about vaccination.

Why do we post memes?

Two decades of research show that we post memes or any other content on social media for three fundamental reasons:

• To show an idealized image from ourselves. That is to say, to sell ourselves in society.
• To show and support our memberships in groups, whether it be our family, a political party, or our love for a sports team (also whether we are pro-science or anti-science).
• Draw attention and receive feedback. It is a way to get attention and likes from like-minded people within the social media circle.

Influence others and change their opinions It is the fourth reason to post content on social media, but it is usually the least important for our purposes. Furthermore, this fourth reason may only be effective on the subset of people who are influential on social media, either because they are very popular and have a large following on social media or because they are experts in a particular field.

For most social media users the three main motivations are much more relevant. Posting a pro-vaccine meme is a way to publicly express support for vaccination and all related political and social positions associated with said support.

Furthermore, as already suggested by scientific literature about itIn general, attempts to persuade someone with a point of view opposite to our own harden and polarize the target's existing attitudes. Let's not say if these attempts are covered in the sarcasm of a meme.

In regarding vaccinesIn addition, we are in an urgent scenario where there is an excess of contradictory information. We could try to do pedagogy, try to inform people, even try to persuade them with the best possible rhetoric. However, if this doesn't work and we are in a hurry, it would be like trying to debate with the airline passenger about how to proceed in the face of an oncoming storm.

Finally, we must place our trust, to a greater or lesser extent, in the pilot's decisions (which can be publicly audited); and to achieve this without stumbling into totalitarianism, perhaps a more useful strategy would be the so-called libertarian paternalism:

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The news

Posting memes mocking COVID-19 anti-vaccines has the opposite effect to that intended (which in reality we do not intend)

was originally published in

Xataka Science

by
Sergio Parra

.