India, Aug. 25 -- image credit- shutterstock

A recent study from researchers at the S.N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences (SNBNCBS) in Kolkata, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) reveals that IgM not only binds to pathogens but can also mechanically stabilise bacterial toxins, preventing them from harming our cells.

This could inspire new therapies by designing antibodies that mechanically stiffen dangerous proteins and disarming them.

The research focused on Protein L, a molecule from the bacteriumFinegoldia magna. Protein L is known as a "superantigen" because it can bind antibodies in unusual ways, potentially disrupting normal immune function. What makes this study remarkable is its use...