Shark antibodies—specifically the variable new antigen receptors (VNARs)—are the smallest naturally occurring antigen-binding domains in the vertebrate immune system. These single-domain antibodies exhibit unique structural stability, high solubility, and remarkable binding specificity, even against cryptic or enzymatic targets inaccessible to conventional antibodies. At Creative Biolabs, we leverage our advanced phage display platforms and several years of antibody engineering expertise to provide custom shark antibody library construction services. These VNAR libraries, built through naïve, immune or semi-synthetic sources, offer invaluable resources for therapeutic antibody discovery.
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Ultra-small (~12 kDa) | Penetrates sterically restricted epitopes |
| Single-domain (no light chains) | Simplifies expression and engineering |
| High stability (pH, temperature) | Ideal for harsh assay environments |
| Long CDR3 loop | Reaches buried or enzyme active sites |
| Low immunogenicity potential | Amenable to humanization |
| Compatibility with phage display | Facilitates large-scale high-throughput screening |
These properties make shark VNARs uniquely suited for applications where traditional antibodies fail—such as enzyme inhibition, receptor modulation, or neutralization of highly conserved viral proteins.
Creative Biolabs employs filamentous (M13), lytic (T7), and dual-display (T4) phage systems to construct and screen shark VNAR libraries. In phage display, the VNAR coding sequences are fused with a phage coat protein gene, enabling physical linkage of phenotype (binding affinity) with genotype (coding DNA), and allowing iterative selection (biopanning) of high-affinity clones.
Creative Biolabs supports both immune VNAR libraries (from immunized sharks) and naïve/synthetic libraries using codon-optimized frameworks. Our process is streamlined and quality-controlled to ensure reproducibility and high library diversity. Here is our standard workflow:
Fig.1 The development process of shark VNARs.1
Shark VNARs often exhibit unconventional binding kinetics and can recognize conserved or buried epitopes. Our experienced scientists design biopanning campaigns optimized for:
We typically recommend 3-5 rounds of panning with increasing stringency and incorporate negative selection if cross-reactivity is a concern.
| Biopanning Type | Application |
|---|---|
| Solid-phase | ELISA-style panning on immobilized proteins |
| In-solution | Preserves native protein conformations |
| Cell-based | For membrane-bound or glycosylated targets |
| In vivo | For functional marker identification in animal models |
Upon completion, clients receive a comprehensive package:
Shark-derived VNARs are increasingly used across biomedical and industrial sectors.
Therapeutic Applications
Research Tools
Diagnostic and Imaging
A recent project involved immunizing Heterodontus francisci (horn shark) with recombinant human TNF-α, followed by VNAR gene amplification and library construction. After four rounds of solid-phase panning, scientists identified five unique high-affinity VNARs (KD = 10⁻⁹ M). The top candidate retained binding activity after heat exposure at 70°C and was further humanized and formatted into a VNAR-Fc fusion for preclinical evaluation.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Library Type | Immune, synthetic, or semi-synthetic |
| Display System | M13 (default), T7, or T4 |
| VNAR Format | Monovalent (pIII-fused) or multivalent |
| Screening Strategy | Tailored biopanning (solid/in-solution/cell/in vivo) |
| Turnaround Time | ~4–8 weeks |
| Other Options | VNAR production, Fc fusion, humanization, or bispecific formats |
| For Research Use Only | Not for diagnostic or clinical applications |
Creative Biolabs is committed to delivering customized phage display shark antibody libraries with scientific precision and industrial reliability. Whether you're developing next-generation biologics, designing intracellular targeting tools, or exploring novel diagnostic agents, our shark VNAR services provide a competitive edge.
Reference:
Please kindly note that our services can only be used to support research purposes (Not for clinical use).
Creative Biolabs is a globally recognized phage company. Creative Biolabs is committed to providing researchers with the most reliable service and the most competitive price.
