Technology and Research

Technology

KODE™ technology consists of a novel range of synthetic molecules, termed KODE™ FSL constructs, which consist of three functional components
• a functional moiety (F);
• a spacer (S) and;
• a diacyl lipid (L)

The bioactive F group of the first generation of FSL constructs incorporated carbohydrate structures and were used to create “designer” cells expressing finite and controlled levels of normal and novel carbohydrate determinants.

Specialised red cells bearing A, B, H, acquired B antigen (deacetylated A antigen), Lewis, and the animal linear-B antigen were created and shown to be valuable diagnostic tools. These constructs allowed us to deliver defined carbohydrate antigens to cell surfaces and explore various immunological, transplantation and transfusion related phenomena. FSL A and B constructs were used to prepare modified red cells expressing precise levels of ABO blood group antigens and are now in clinical use as laboratory control reagents (Securacell™). In addition to modification of red cells; embryos, endometrial cells and cultured cells have all been modified with a variety of structures including FSL hyaluronin constructs.

The second generation of FSL constructs carry peptide F moieties. A large range of structures have been created and various blood group mutations have been attached to cell surfaces. Diagnostic products incorporating FSL peptide F moieties are anticipated to be released into the market in 2009.

A range of specialised research tool constructs have also been created. These constructs include a variety of FSL’s which can pick up structures from solution in a two stage process, including peptides, carbohydrates, etc. FSL’s which bear a variety of fluorophores have also been created.

In vitro studies have found that certain FSL molecules are able to make to embryos “sticky”, and/or modify their antigenic profiles. As such these molecules have the potential to improve fertility and implantation.  Other constructs have been found to be able to inhibit the HIV virus from infecting CD4+ cells. A range of immunological projects are in discovery.

Due to their synthetic nature FSL constructs can be specifically designed to incorporate novel features, and to modify functional activity and/or membrane characteristics of living cells in vitro and in vivo. These molecules insert harmlessly into cell membranes and coat cells with a potentially unlimited range of bioactive structures. They can be standardized, modified, and economically manufactured at scale in pure quantities.

KODE™ constructs are potentially applicable to a large range of diagnostic and therapeutic applications including; diagnostic controls, immune modulation, antigen enhancing/masking, diagnostic analytical systems, cell labelling and imaging, vaccine and drug delivery, cell culture improvement, immune therapy and fertility enhancement. KODE™ represents a new paradigm in the control of membrane surface characteristics. We believe that what the KODE™ platform can be utilized for is limited only by the imagination.

In summary KODE™ technology is able to harmlessly and accurately “paint” functional molecules onto the surface of cells and are expected to have many new immunological applications.

Two files schematically explaining KODE™ technology can be downloaded from the following links

KODE™ Schematics
KODE™ Technology

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