Antibody discovery

National Center For Advancing Translational Sciences

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

The antibody discovery project harnesses the therapeutic potential of small biologicals known as nanobodies. By constructing a humanized llama phage display library for use here at NCATS, it is possible to screen for therapeutically relevant nanobodies as needed. The small size of nanobodies makes them ideal for binding inside protein folds and clefts that are generally inaccessible to conventional antibodies. This allows NCATS to pursue avenues of therapeutic development that have not yet been explored. Recent work includes identifying binders against the SARS-CoV-2 RBD to decrease viral cell entry. Through NIH collaborations, the binding of these nanobodies to the SARS-CoV-2 spike trimer domains were imaged by CryoEM. A screen for modulators of CD206 to trigger reprogramming in tumor-associated macrophages is also underway.