Nanobodies: From Discovery to AI-Driven Design

Nanobodies, derived from naturally occurring heavy-chain antibodies in camelids (VHHs) and sharks (V_NARs), are unique single-domain antibodies that have garnered significant attention in therapeutic, diagnostic, and biotechnological applications due to their small size, stability, and high specificity. This review first traces the historical discovery of nanobodies, highlighting key milestones in their isolation, characterization, and therapeutic development. We then explore their structure-function relationship, emphasizing features like their single-domain architecture and long CDR3 loop that contribute to their binding versatility. Additionally, we examine the growing interest in multiepitope nanobodies, in which binding to different epitopes on the same antigen not only enhances neutralization and specificity but also allows these nanobodies to be used as controllable modules for precise antigen manipulation. This review also discusses the integration of AI in nanobody design and optimization, showcasing how machine learning and deep learning approaches are revolutionizing rational design, humanization, and affinity maturation processes. With continued advancements in structural biology and computational design, nanobodies are poised to play an increasingly vital role in addressing both existing and emerging biomedical challenges.