Investigating the cross-recognition and clotting inhibition potencial of a new phage antibody against Moojase: a serine protease derived from Bothrops moojeni venom

• Grant number: 25/11949-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Master's degree
• Start date: September 01, 2025
• End date: December 10, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Pharmacy - Toxicological Analysis
• Principal Investigator: Manuela Berto Pucca
• Grantee: Marcela Romanazzi Fernandes
• Supervisor: Professor Sakthivel Vaiyapuri
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas (FCFAR). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of Reading, England
• Associated to the scholarship: 24/01801-1 - Discovery of human monoclonal antibodies neutralizing serineproteases from Phage Display for antibotropic serum production, BP.MS

Abstract

The present project aims to evaluate the neutralizing potential of two recombinant antibody clones selected by phage display against Moojase, a procoagulant serine protease isolated from the venom of Bothrops moojeni. During the research internship at the University of Reading (United Kingdom), functional assays will be conducted to assess the inhibition of Moojase-induced coagulant activity, using the ROTEM (Rotational Thromboelastometry) and Ceveron Alpha T platforms, both highly sensitive systems for hemostasis analysis. In addition, a cross-neutralization evaluation will be performed with these antibodies against the venoms of seven medically important Bothrops species from Brazil and the venom of Daboia russelii, a South Asian snake whose toxins exhibit a similar procoagulant profile. The results will be compared with the efficacy of the currently used Brazilian commercial antivenom for Bothrops envenomations and with the antivenom used for Daboia russelii bites. (AU)