Nanobodies as a powerful platform for biomedicine

Nanobodies are small monomeric binding modules derived from camelid heavy-chain-only antibodies. Despite lacking a light chain, nanobodies retain unimpaired binding ability. A beta-sandwich fold supports the presentation of three complementarity-determining regions (CDRs) to bind antigens. The convex-shaped paratope formed by CDRs and the oblate structure of nanobodies grant access to small clefts on the antigen, often difficult to recognize by conventional IgGs.