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Immunization of Alpacas Lama pacos with Protein Antigens and Production of Antigen-specific Single Domain Antibodies

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Camelid Single-Domain Antibodies as Tools for Novel Target Identification in Kinetoplastid Research

Steven Odongo^1,2, Line De Vocht³, Bo-Kyung Jin⁴

¹Department of Biomedical Laboratory Technology and Molecular Biology (BLT), College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Biosecurity, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.

Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)

|February 2, 2026

Summary

Camelid single-domain antibodies (sdAbs) are powerful tools for discovering new diagnostic biomarkers in kinetoplastid research. This study highlights their underutilized potential in molecular parasitology for target discovery.

Area of Science:

Molecular Biology
Immunology
Parasitology

Background:

Camelid single-domain antibodies (sdAbs), also known as Nanobodies™, offer unique advantages for biological applications.
Despite their widespread use in life sciences, sdAbs are significantly underrepresented in molecular parasitology research.
Kinetoplastids are a group of parasites with significant implications for human and animal health.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore the potential of camelid sdAbs for novel target discovery in kinetoplastid research.
To demonstrate a protocol for discovering diagnostic biomarkers using an unbiased camelid immunization strategy.
To highlight the underutilization and potential of sdAbs in molecular parasitology.

Main Methods:

Employed an unbiased camelid immunization strategy.
Utilized camelid single-domain antibodies (sdAbs) for target discovery.
Focused on kinetoplastid research for biomarker identification.

Main Results:

Successfully discovered novel diagnostic biomarkers using camelid sdAbs.
Demonstrated the efficacy of an unbiased immunization approach.
Showcased the potential of sdAbs in kinetoplastid research.

Conclusions:

Camelid sdAbs are potent tools for novel target discovery in molecular parasitology.
An unbiased camelid immunization strategy is effective for identifying diagnostic biomarkers.
Further exploration of sdAbs in kinetoplastid research is warranted.

Keywords:

Camelid single-domain antibody Diagnosis Glycolytic enzymes Trypanosomes

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