Brief introduction into nanobodies and their applications

Key properties of nanobodies and their advantages

• Single domain antigen binding proteins equivalent to antibody VH domains

• Small size (~15 kDa)

• Ability to reach cryptic epitopes

• Soluble (not prone to aggregate)

• Stable under physico-chemical variations

• Short half-life (renal clearance)

• Easy to reformat : Fc-Nb, diabodies, trimerbodies, bispecific…

Applications of nanobodies (a non-exhaustive list of uses)

Examples of the uses of nanobodies are given below, but further information can be obtained from this review:

Alexander, E., Leong, K.W. Discovery of nanobodies: a comprehensive review of their applications and potential over the past five years. J Nanobiotechnol 22, 661 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12951-024-02900-y

Nanobodies are being used increasingly in the fight against cancer