Nano Antibodies

Nano antibodies, also known as nanobodies or single-domain antibodies, are a unique class of antibodies derived from the heavy-chain-only antibodies found in camelids (e.g., camels, llamas, and alpacas). Unlike conventional antibodies, which are composed of both heavy and light chains, nano antibodies consist of a single monomeric variable domain that retains the full antigen-binding capacity. 

Content: Nano antibodies are typically around 12-15 kDa in size, much smaller than conventional antibodies (150 kDa). 

• High Affinity and Specificity: Despite their smaller size, they retain a high affinity for their specific antigens, similar to conventional antibodies. This makes them suitable for precise targeting applications.
• Enhanced Stability: Nano antibodies are highly stable, maintaining their structure and binding capacity under harsh conditions, such as extreme pH, high temperatures, and the presence of detergents or denaturants. This property makes them particularly useful for industrial and diagnostic applications.
• Ease of Engineering: They can be easily modified and engineered into various formats, including bivalent, bispecific, and fusion proteins, enhancing their versatility for different applications.

Applications: Nano antibodies are widely used in various fields due to their unique characteristics, including:

• Biological Imaging: Due to their small size, nano antibodies can be conjugated with fluorescent tags and used for high-resolution imaging of cellular structures. They are capable of binding to intracellular targets when delivered via cell-permeable peptides or genetic engineering.
• Therapeutic Applications: Nano antibodies can be used as therapeutic agents to target and neutralize pathogens, toxins, and cancer cells. Their small size enables better tissue penetration, making them suitable for targeting solid tumors or crossing biological barriers like the blood-brain barrier. Examples include the use of nano antibodies in cancer immunotherapy and as antiviral agents against emerging pathogens.
• Diagnostics: Nano antibodies are used to develop highly sensitive and specific diagnostic assays. Their stability allows for the creation of robust diagnostic kits that can be used in diverse environments. They have been applied in lateral flow assays, biosensors, and ELISA-based platforms to detect biomarkers, pathogens, and toxins.

These applications demonstrate the versatility and potential of nano antibodies as a tool in modern biomedical research, diagnostics, and therapeutics.