ATG bioinformatics brings novel epitope mapping to International HIPS Symposium

Merzhausen, Germany: – German-based clinical research organization ATG:biosynthetics will be an important presence at the 6th HIPS International Symposium in Saarbrucken, sharing insights on its new Epitope mapping service.

ATG will present a poster at the conference: ‘Epitope mapping workflow for vaccine development combining computational analyses of the pathogen genome to the PepID biopeptides expression technology.’

New discovery routes

The poster, authored by ATG scientists Adrien Eberlin and Hubert Bernauer, along with Josef Maier of IStLS Information Services, demonstrates how the new epitope mapping workflow developed by ATG:biosynthetics can improve the discovery of new diagnostic and therapeutic epitopes.

“Based on available genomic data, we are attempting to integrate the highest level of molecular biodiversity to increase the scope of protection. Simultaneously we intend to reach the maximum reduction of dispensable molecular complexity in terms of redundancy as well as structural-functional considerations regarding the antigens to be analyzed,” said Dr. Eberlin.

Combining algorithms with libraries
“Our strong PepID’s computational algorithms allow us to generate rationally designed, deterministic DNA-encoded peptide libraries that can then be expressed and submitted to antibody recognition, either by colony immuno-blotting or using a surface display technology,” Dr. Bernauer added.

The new epitome mapping methodology aims to increase the specificity of researchers diagnostic tools, improving experimental significance and maximizing the efficacy of multi-epitope vaccines.

The novel mapping proposed by ATG will initially specialize in gene optimization and synthesis.

The team is now focusing on development of a veterinary vaccine against mycoplasma strains for an €8m project, undertaken under the EU’s Horizon 2020 (H2020) Research and Innovation program, that combines gene engineering and biotechnology to design new vaccines based on the bacterium Mycoplasma pneumoniae.

About ATG: biosynthetics

Advanced Technical Genetomics (ATG) is a German-based company that specializes in synthetic biology, combinatorial gene design and multi-gene expression. Located in Merzhausen near Freiburg, ATG offers a complete range of multi-gene and multi-peptide expression products and services for synthetic and molecular biology as well as allied research and development areas.

ATG: biosynthetics possesses particular strengths in designing tailor-made solutions (e.g., gene cluster and complete pathway designs) that harness its technologies and services in related product areas that include gene synthesis, bioinformatics, molecular in silico biodesign, epitope mapping and pathway engineering. These provide clients with individual products and services or integrated solutions that offer a complete product & service package for peptide/gene expression and synthetic biology applications.

ATG seeks partnerships and outsourcing projects that aim at developing and marketing high-potential applications, e.g. creating high efficiency DNA- and protein-based vaccines.

About International HIPS Symposium 2016

The International HIPS Symposium brings together renowned scientists and young investigators from three pharmaceutical communities: natural products, medicinal chemistry and drug delivery.

The 6th International HIPS-Symposium, ‘Recent Developments in Infection Research’ is a one-day event taking place on June 29 at the Aula building at the campus of Saarland University at Saarbrucken, Germany.

The symposium provides a forum for senior scientists to exchange ideas across borders of classical disciplines while also providing young investigators with opportunities to receive feedback on their projects from international experts in their chosen fields.

The symposium will feature speakers from eminent universities in Germany and Luxembourg as well as the European Bioinformatics Institute, along with numerous posters from scientists and researchers.

The event is organized by the Helmholtz Centre for Infection (HZI) with more information available at: https://www.helmholtz-hzi.de/en/news_events/events/view/event/info/6th_international_hips_symposium/