Computational antigen design & immunogen engineering

Vaccine Antigen Structure Modeling

Accelerate vaccine development with structure-guided antigen design. CD ComputaBio integrates homology modeling, epitope prediction, molecular dynamics, and immunoinformatics to engineer stable, immunogenic antigens. We bridge dry-lab predictions with targeted wet-lab validation—ELISA, surface plasmon resonance, and thermal shift assays—to confirm binding and stability.

Epitope mapping & immunogen design MD & free energy of antigen–antibody Stability & developability engineering Integrated wet-lab validation
1
Identify & optimize epitopesWe map B-cell and T-cell epitopes, prioritize conserved regions, and engineer antigen scaffolds to enhance presentation and immunogenicity.
2
Predict antigen–antibody interactionsDocking, MD, and MM/PBSA reveal binding modes, hot-spot residues, and affinity ranking to guide antigen variant selection.
3
Engineer stability & expressionWe apply disulfide bond design, surface reengineering, and consensus mutations to improve thermal stability and recombinant yield.

Antigen modeling capabilities

Structure prediction

Homology modeling & AI folding

We build high-confidence 3D models of viral, bacterial, or tumor antigens using homology modeling, threading, and AlphaFold2/ColabFold, followed by loop refinement and stereochemical validation.

  • Template-based & ab initio modeling
  • AlphaFold2 & ColabFold integration
  • Loop refinement & side-chain optimization
Immunoinformatics

Epitope prediction & design

We predict linear and conformational epitopes, MHC class I/II binding, and immunogenicity scores. We also design epitope scaffolds and miniproteins for focused immune responses.

  • B-cell & T-cell epitope mapping
  • MHC binding & immunogenicity prediction
  • Epitope scaffolding & multimerization
Interaction analysis

Antigen–antibody docking & MD

We model antigen–antibody complexes using HADDOCK, ClusPro, or AlphaFold-Multimer, then refine with atomistic MD to assess interface stability, hydrogen bonds, and salt bridges.

  • Rigid & flexible docking
  • MD refinement in explicit solvent
  • MM/PBSA & per-residue energy decomposition
Stability engineering

Developability & thermostability

We identify aggregation-prone regions, design stabilizing mutations, and optimize disulfide bonds to improve antigen half-life and manufacturability.

  • Aggregation hotspot prediction
  • Disulfide bond engineering
  • Consensus & ancestral sequence design
Multivalent design

Nanoparticle & mosaic antigens

We model self-assembling nanoparticles displaying antigen trimers or mosaics, predicting assembly stability and immune presentation.

  • Ferritin & lumazine synthase scaffolds
  • Mosaic antigen arrangement
  • Linker & orientation optimization
Wet-lab bridge

Integrated experimental validation

We collaborate with wet-lab partners to validate key predictions—ELISA, SPR, BLI, and thermal shift—ensuring your antigen design is translationally relevant.

  • Binding affinity (SPR/BLI)
  • Thermal stability (DSF/nanoDSF)
  • Expression & purification feasibility

Core computational techniques

Structure prediction

AlphaFold2 & Homology Modeling

We combine deep-learning folding with classical homology modeling to generate reliable antigen structures even for low-sequence-identity targets.

  • AlphaFold2 / ColabFold pipelines
  • MODELER & SWISS-MODEL
  • Loop refinement & side-chain optimization
Molecular dynamics

All-atom MD & Free Energy

We simulate antigen–antibody complexes in explicit solvent to capture conformational dynamics and compute binding free energies with MM/PBSA or umbrella sampling.

  • AMBER & GROMACS force fields
  • MM/PBSA & per-residue decomposition
  • Hydrogen bond & contact maps
Immunoinformatics

Epitope Prediction Suite

We integrate NetMHC, IEDB tools, and ElliPro to predict linear/conformational epitopes and MHC presentation.

  • MHC-I & MHC-II binding prediction
  • B-cell epitope prediction (ElliPro)
  • Immunogenicity & allergenicity screening

Antigen modeling workflow

Target sequence analysis & template search

Collect antigen sequence, search for homologous structures, and evaluate template quality. Perform multiple sequence alignment to identify conserved regions.

3D structure prediction & refinement

Generate initial models using AlphaFold2 or homology modeling. Refine loops, optimize side chains, and validate stereochemistry.

Epitope mapping & immunogen design

Predict B-cell and T-cell epitopes, prioritize neutralizing regions, and design epitope scaffolds or stabilized antigens.

Antigen–antibody docking & MD

Dock representative antibodies or receptors, then run atomistic MD to assess interface stability and compute binding free energy.

Stability & developability engineering

Identify aggregation hotspots and design stabilizing mutations, disulfide bonds, or consensus sequences to improve expression and thermostability.

Wet-lab validation (optional)

Collaborate with our wet-lab partners to express, purify, and validate top designs via ELISA, SPR, or thermal shift assays.

Report & candidate ranking

Deliver a comprehensive report with structural models, epitope maps, binding energies, stability data, and recommended antigen variants.

Which antigen challenge can we address?

ChallengeComputational approachKey deliverablesWet-lab validation
No experimental structure for viral antigenAlphaFold2 + homology modeling + MD refinementValidated 3D model, flexibility profileCircular dichroism (optional)
Identify neutralizing epitopesEpitope prediction + docking + MDEpitope map, hot-spot residuesPeptide ELISA / SPR
Improve antigen thermostabilityAggregation prediction + mutation design + MDStabilizing mutations, ΔΔGThermal shift assay
Design multivalent nanoparticle vaccineScaffold modeling + antigen trimer dockingAssembly model, linker designSEC / DLS (optional)

What we need from you

  • Antigen sequence (FASTA) or PDB structure if available
  • Pathogen or target name, and known antibody sequences (if any)
  • Epitope information or immune focus (e.g., neutralizing vs. non-neutralizing)
  • Expression system or stability constraints
  • Any experimental binding or structural data for validation

What you receive

  • High-confidence 3D antigen models with validation metrics
  • Epitope maps and immunogenicity predictions
  • Antigen–antibody binding modes and free energy rankings
  • Stabilizing mutation suggestions with ΔΔG estimates
  • Integrated wet-lab validation plan and data
  • Publication-ready figures and methodology description

Why choose CD ComputaBio for antigen modeling?

Our team combines structural biology, immunoinformatics, and molecular simulation with a pragmatic wet-lab bridge. We don't just predict—we help you prioritize antigen candidates with the highest chance of translational success.

Structure-guidedAlphaFold2, homology modeling, and MD for reliable antigen models
Immunology-awareEpitope mapping, MHC prediction, and antibody interaction analysis
Wet-lab integratedSPR, thermal shift, and ELISA validation through our collaborative network

References

  1. Jumper J, Evans R, Pritzel A, et al. Highly accurate protein structure prediction with AlphaFold. Nature 2021, 596: 583–589.
  2. Sela-Culang I, Kunik V, Ofran Y. The structural basis of antibody-antigen recognition. Front. Immunol. 2013, 4: 302.
  3. Kringelum JV, Nielsen M, Padkjær SB, Lund O. Structural analysis of B-cell epitopes in antibody:protein complexes. Mol. Immunol. 2013, 53(1-2): 24-34.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you model antigens without an experimental structure?

Yes. We routinely use AlphaFold2 and homology modeling to generate high-confidence models from sequence alone, followed by MD refinement and validation.

How do you validate computational predictions?

We validate through multiple orthogonal metrics: binding free energy (MM/PBSA), structural quality assessment, and—when possible—wet-lab assays like SPR or ELISA.

Do you handle large antigens or multi-domain proteins?

Absolutely. We split large antigens into domains, model each separately, and assemble full-length models. We also handle glycosylation and membrane-proximal regions.

What is the typical turnaround time?

A standard antigen modeling package (model + epitope mapping + MD) takes 2–3 weeks. With wet-lab validation, expect 4–6 weeks.

Can you help with vaccine adjuvant or delivery system modeling?

Yes, we have experience modeling antigen-adjuvant interactions and nanoparticle delivery systems. Please contact us to discuss your specific formulation.

Ready to design better vaccine antigens?

Share your antigen sequence or target pathogen. Our team will design a structure-guided modeling workflow that delivers immunogen candidates, stability improvements, and validation-ready predictions.

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