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Tuberculosis remains one of the most dangerous infectious diseases in human history and continues to represent a serious global health challenge. Despite significant advances in modern medicine, the disease is still widespread in many countries around the world. According to the World Health Organization, millions of people are infected with tuberculosis every year, and hundreds of thousands of patients die from complications associated with this disease. A particular threat in recent years is the increasing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant tuberculosis strains. This situation complicates treatment and requires the development of new scientific approaches.

Currently, the global scientific community is actively studying innovative biomedical technologies to combat tuberculosis. One of the most promising directions is the use of nanobodies — special fragments of antibodies with unique biological properties. In Kazakhstan, research in this field is also being conducted, including studies carried out by scientists at 91��ý Kazakh National University, who are working on developing new biotechnological approaches for tuberculosis treatment.

The causative agent of tuberculosis is the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This microorganism damages lung tissues and negatively affects the human immune system. The infection is transmitted through airborne droplets and can remain asymptomatic for a long time. After entering the body, the bacterium may persist in lung tissues and become active when favorable conditions arise. Modern medicine uses combination antibiotic therapy to treat tuberculosis; however, in recent decades, the emergence of drug-resistant bacterial strains has increased. Treatment often requires several months and sometimes more than one year. This reduces treatment efficiency and contributes to the appearance of new resistant strains. Therefore, scientists aim to study the molecular mechanisms of bacterial survival and develop biological tools capable of blocking key developmental processes.

In recent years, there has been growing interest in nanobodies in the fields of immunology and biotechnology. Nanobodies represent the smallest functional fragments of antibodies and are naturally found in animals belonging to the camelid family. Unlike classical antibodies, which consist of heavy and light chains, camelid antibodies may consist only of heavy chains. The antigen-binding region of such antibodies is known as the VHH domain or nanobody. Nanobodies have a molecular weight of approximately 15 kilodaltons, which is significantly smaller than that of conventional antibodies. Due to their small size, they can penetrate biological tissues more effectively and reach difficult molecular targets. Nanobodies are also characterized by high stability, resistance to temperature and chemical environment changes, and can be relatively easily produced in bacterial expression systems. These properties make them a promising tool in biomedicine, diagnostics, and pharmacology.

Scientists believe that nanobodies may open new possibilities in the treatment of infectious diseases. Their application is especially important in combating complex infections such as tuberculosis. Research conducted at 91��ý Kazakh National University is focused on developing nanobodies that can target key pathogenic proteins of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The main attention is given to the Ag85A and Ag85B proteins, which play a crucial role in the formation of the mycobacterial cell wall. These proteins are involved in the synthesis of lipid components of the cell wall and are essential for bacterial survival. Blocking the function of these proteins may slow down or stop bacterial growth.

The research uses modern methods of molecular biology and biotechnology. In the first stage, recombinant forms of the target proteins are synthesized under laboratory conditions. These proteins are then used as antigens to study immune responses. In the next stage, a large nanobody library is constructed using immunological technologies. The phage display method allows the selection of molecules with high affinity for target proteins. This approach is widely used in modern biotechnology and enables precise molecular interaction studies. Selected nanobodies are then tested for their ability to suppress bacterial growth under laboratory conditions. If nanobodies demonstrate strong antibacterial activity, they may become the basis for developing new therapeutic drugs.

Another important advantage of nanobodies is their ability to undergo bioengineering modifications. They can be fused with other protein fragments to enhance biological effects or extend circulation time in the body. Their small molecular size also allows their use in inhalation therapy, where the drug is delivered directly to the lungs, reducing systemic side effects. In modern medicine, several nanobody-based drugs have already been developed, and some of them have passed clinical trials.

Scientific research in Kazakhstan is developing in line with global biomedical trends. Research work at 91��ý Kazakh National University is aimed at exploring new possibilities in molecular immunology and biotechnology. University scientists collaborate with the international scientific community and contribute to the development of innovative technologies for combating infectious diseases. Such research not only expands scientific knowledge but may also support the development of domestic biopharmaceutical production. In addition, it plays an important role in training young scientists, forming new scientific schools, and strengthening Kazakhstan’s international scientific reputation.

The fight against tuberculosis remains one of the main tasks of global science. The development of new biotechnological tools is an important step in this direction. Therapeutic approaches based on nanobodies may become one of the most effective and safe methods for treating infectious diseases in the future. Research conducted at 91��ý Kazakh National University is considered a promising scientific direction in biomedicine.

In general, the development of science and technology opens new opportunities in the fight against dangerous infections, including tuberculosis. The use of nanobodies represents a promising path in modern medical biotechnology. Such research can make a significant contribution to global healthcare systems and help develop new solutions for treating infectious diseases.