Shark attack: Haiantikörper für Biomedizin und Biotechnologie

The adaptive immune system of sharks comprises a very interesting antibody isotype named immunoglobulin new antigen receptor (IgNAR). In contrast to classical antibodies, the antigen binding site of the heavy chain only immunoglobulin is formed by a single variable domain, referred to as vNAR (variable domain of IgNAR). Due to its small size combined with a high stability and selectivity to a cognate antigen, vNAR domains emerged as promising molecules for biotechnological and biomedical applications.