08/10/2026
What if a parasitic worm could be engineered to deliver life-saving products directly inside the human body?
In a breakthrough published recently in Nature Portfolio, researchers successfully engineered the first-ever genetically modified parasitic flatworm (Schistosoma mansoni) that actively secrete functional anti-SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies into the host’s bloodstream, effectively neutralizing the virus in laboratory tests.
Here is how this works:
1️⃣ CRISPR Precision: Using gene-editing tools, an antibody gene was inserted into a safe region of the worm's genome.
2️⃣ Heritable Genetics: The edited trait was successfully passed down from eggs to adult worms across multiple generations (F1 to F9).
3️⃣ Living Micro-Factories: Worms, which can live for years in host blood vessels, continually produce and release the antibodies into circulation.
🌟 A Team Effort: We are incredibly proud of our member, Distinguished Professor Alex Loukas, who contributed to this pioneering study! However, a breakthrough of this scale is never a solo effort—it was made possible through the immense dedication, hard work, and collaboration of an incredible team of international co-authors, researchers, and technical staff across multiple institutions!
The corresponding authors of this breakthrough study are Alex and Professor Paul Brindley at The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
Check out the carousel for a quick breakdown of the study!
Read the full publication for the deep technical details: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-026-76465-9 -information
Other institutions involved:
James Cook University - Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine (AITHM),
University of Nebraska Medical Center,
Biomedical Research Institute,
Leiden University Medical Center,
Baylor College of Medicine, and many more...
