Newly Recognized Antibodies Act as Decoys to Trick Germs

Antibodies fool E. coli into sticking to them instead of human cells

Jan. 29, 2026 at 7:15pm

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Researchers have discovered a new class of antibodies that trick disease-causing E. coli bacteria into sticking to the antibodies instead of human cells. This is one of the first lines of attack used by many infectious bacteria, and these antibodies are able to intercept the bacteria before they can take hold.

Why it matters

This discovery could lead to the development of new infection therapies, as the mechanisms used by these antibodies may also be effective against other pathogens like viruses and fungi. Understanding how the immune system naturally defends against infectious bacteria is an important step in finding new ways to prevent and treat infections.

The details

The research team, led by faculty members at the University of Washington School of Medicine, found that these newly recognized antibodies are able to mimic molecules on human cell surfaces, deceiving the E. coli bacteria and causing them to stick to the antibodies instead of the cells they are trying to infect. This is one of several mechanisms the researchers explored in how different antibodies prevent E. coli from adhering to human cells.

  • The research findings were published in January 2026 in the journal Nature Communications.

The players

Justin Kollman

Faculty member at the University of Washington School of Medicine and lead researcher on the study.

Evgeni Sokurenko

Faculty member at the University of Washington School of Medicine and co-lead researcher on the study.

Kelli Hvorecny

Faculty member at the University of Washington School of Medicine and co-researcher on the study.

Pearl Magala

Faculty member at the University of Washington School of Medicine and co-researcher on the study.

Leila R. Gray

Media Relations at UW Medicine, who provided information about the study.

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What they’re saying

“The ways the newly described antibodies operate could suggest designs for novel infection therapies, according to the researchers.”

— Leila R. Gray, Media Relations | UW Medicine (rounduprecord.com)

What’s next

The researchers plan to further explore how these antibody mechanisms could be applied to develop new treatments for a variety of infectious diseases.

The takeaway

This discovery of a new class of antibodies that can trick bacteria into sticking to them instead of human cells represents an important advancement in understanding the immune system's natural defenses against infection. The potential applications for developing novel infection therapies based on these findings could have significant implications for public health.