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Single Domain Antibodies pp 15–26Cite as

Introduction to Heavy Chain Antibodies and Derived Nanobodies

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Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 911))

Abstract

The immune response of infected or immunized dromedaries contains a diverse repertoire of conventional and heavy chain-only antibodies, both functional in antigen binding. By definition, a heavy chain antibody is devoid of a light chain and in the case of the heavy chain antibodies in camelids the CH1 domain is also missing. Consequently a camelid heavy chain antibody associates with its cognate antigen via a single domain, the variable heavy chain domain of a heavy chain antibody or VHH. An antigen-specific VHH, also known as Nanobody, with excellent biochemical properties can be obtained in various ways. Their recombinant expression provides access to user-friendly tools for a wide variety of applications.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Molecular and Cellular Interactions, VIB, Brussels, Belgium

    Cécile Vincke & Serge Muyldermans

  2. Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium

    Cécile Vincke & Serge Muyldermans

Authors
  1. Cécile Vincke
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  2. Serge Muyldermans
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Correspondence to Serge Muyldermans .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Molecular & Cellular Interactions, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, Brussels, 1050, Belgium

    Dirk Saerens

  2. , Molecular & Cellular Interactions, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, Brussels, 1050, Belgium

    Serge Muyldermans

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Vincke, C., Muyldermans, S. (2012). Introduction to Heavy Chain Antibodies and Derived Nanobodies. In: Saerens, D., Muyldermans, S. (eds) Single Domain Antibodies. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 911. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-968-6_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-968-6_2

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-61779-967-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-61779-968-6

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