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Professor of the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics A.K. Bisenbaev has implemented a project aimed at creating nanobodies to combat the rabies virus, one of the most dangerous viruses for which there is no effective treatment. The project “Development of new nanobodies to neutralize the rabies virus and use as a reagent for its detection” is designed to solve an important problem. Rabies, transmitted through animal bites, kills more than 60,000 people every year, especially in developing countries, including Kazakhstan. The project is focused on creating nanobodies — antibody fragments that can neutralize the virus and serve as highly sensitive reagents for its detection in the body. Nanobody therapy is a promising alternative for the treatment of viral infections. Nanobodies are small antibody fragments (15 kDa) found in Camelidae. They have a number of advantages: cheap production, high solubility, resistance to temperature and pH changes, and improved tissue permeability in vivo. These qualities make them more promising for diagnosing and treating diseases than traditional antibodies.

Nanobody technology is superior to traditional methods, such as rabies immunoglobulin, which has limited availability. The project contributes to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 “Good health and well-being” by increasing access to innovative treatments for rabies and reducing mortality from this disease.