Going viral - Virus-targeting nanobodies for research, diagnostics and therapy

The increasing prevalence of viral diseases represents a major threat to global human health, highlighting the urgent need for advanced tools to study viral infections, improve diagnostics, and develop effective antiviral therapies. Antibodies are central to the immune response against viruses and are widely used in research and diagnostics; however, their structural complexity and manufacturing process limit their areas of applications. Single-domain antibodies-better known as nanobodies-derived from heavy chain-only antibodies found in camelids have emerged as a promising alternative. Their unique characteristics-including small size, high stability, the capacity to access cryptic epitopes, and functionality within intracellular environments-make them particularly valuable for viral research. This review highlights recent developments of nanobodies for viral research, diagnostics, and therapeutic applications; discusses their key advantages and limitations; and briefly outlines the emerging role of artificial intelligence-based technologies in facilitating their development to address the expanding burden of viral diseases.