Nanobodies

Nanobodies are single domain antibodies derived from heavy chain-only antibodies found in camelid species. These small 15 kDa proteins bind to target molecules with affinity and specificity. Bacterially expressed nanobodies can be fluorescently labeled to visualize the target in advanced microscopy techniques, or modified with biochemical handles for protein purification. Unlike antibodies, nanobodies can also be expressed in the cytosol of living cells to visualize and perturb function of endogenous targets in living cells.

To generate nanobodies, we immunize alpacas and llamas and subsequently construct a plasmid library encoding the diversity of nanobodies generated in the animal. We then apply phage display as well as functional screens to identify suitable nanobodies. We are in the process of assembling a comprehensive collection of nanobodies targeting the major innatei mmune signaling pathways. These allow us to specifically interfere with (or activate) the distinct steps of innate immune signaling to learn mechanistic lessons.

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