Selection and characterization of neutralizing single domain antibodies against Dengue virus and SARS-CoV2.

Abstract

Antibodies, the secreted adaptor molecules of activated B cells, are one of the critical components of adaptive immunity to help neutralize pathogens at entry sites to achieve the control of infection. Due to their ability to recognize antigens with pin-point precision and amenability to genetic modifications, antibodies serve as the reagents of choice in immunotherapy and diagnosis. The discovery of the smallest variant of antibodies, referred to as single domain antibodies (sdAbs) or nanobodies, has provided the much-needed impetus to the field of antibody engineering to generate custom made products and optimally harness their potential. Such antibodies have unique features such as small size, improved solubility and stability as well as high affinities. The study was planned to select, modify and characterize sdAbs that could neutralize viruses such as Dengue (DenV) and the causative agent of COVID- 19. The first segment o