Unravelling the solution structures and stability of medically- and industrially-important anti-COVID nanobodies

The use of therapeutic antibodies as drugs made by pharmaceutical companies is increasing rapidly (>$75 billion market). Understanding the solution structures and stability of such human antibodies is essential for improving their manufacturing and developing their applications. The hinge disulphides that link the antibody light and heavy chains have a major influence on antibody reactivity. We have recently completed studies of human IgG1, IgG2, IgG3 and IgG4 antibodies, using SAXS, SANS, and analytical ultracentrifugation, plus atomistic modelling. Nanobodies differ from human IgG by only possessing two heavy chains and no light chains, thus offering enhanced epitope binding properties. This continuation project will identify the solution conformation of anti-COVID nanobodies and related molecules by such a combination of methods and their atomistic modelling.