Speaker: Prof. Jian R Lu, professer from the University of Manchester

Title: Interfacial Structures and Interactions from Antiody Adsorption Studied by Neutron Reflection and SANS

Time: 10:00 August 29th, 2025 (Friday)

Venue: No.6 conference room on the 3rd floor, Building No.5

Host: Prof. Pengfei Duan

Info. of Speaker：

He is head of Biological Physics Group at the Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Manchester. His research focuses on wet interfacial phenomena and is featured by drawing parallel links between interfacial molecular processes and cellular behaviour. His group makes extensive use of neutron reflection, SANS and imaging techniques such as AFM and cryo-TEM to provide mechanistic insights in, e.g., selective membrane binding and in-membrane aggregation of antimicrobial peptides and linking such information to antimicrobial efficacy and cytotoxicity. Further examples include determinating inner structures of DNA-loaded lipid nanoparticles by SANS and linking key structural features to gene transfection efficiency, and demonstrating adsorption features of antibody and nonionic surfactants at model interfaces by NR, in collaboration with AstraZeneca.

Abstract:

In this talk, I will share a few examples of interfacial interactions from bioengineered monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) with their adsorbed interfacial structure and composition probed by neutron reflection (NR) and small angle neutron scattering (SANS). Interfacial adsorption can lead to the deformation of Fab and Fc and unfoilded globular structurees can promote mAb aggregation, compromising their solution stability and therapeutic activities. Modifications to sequences in Fab and Fc can cause further structural instability, an effect that is poorly characterised so far. Nonionic surfactants such as Tween 80 are often used as formulation ingredient to help stabilise mAbs. Their roles in competitive adsorption to protect mAbs at different interfaces are illustrated by undertaking parallel co-adisrption neutron runs involving both deuterated and hydrogenated Tween 80 and different water contrasts. The technical benefits from H/D substitutions will be highlighted. These studies together with molecular dynamics simulations can help inspire further work using these techniques in both fundamental research and application-led challenges.