Abcore has generated a proprietary naïve phage library using 24 naïve llamas and 24 naïve alpacas, for a total of 48 animals and a size of 1×1011 independent clones.
This naïve single domain phage library was built using the isolated PBMCs from 48 naïve animals. From the PBMCs, we isolated RNA and synthesized cDNA. This cDNA was then used, along with Abcore’s proprietary primers to generate llama and alpaca VHH (single domain antibody) sequences. These were then ligated into a phage display vector, resulting in a naïve llama single domain antibody phage display vector. The final naïve phage library diversity is greater than 1×1011 independent clones.
Abcore pans this phage library with client targets and can generate sequences more quickly than going through an immunization. This VHH library is also useful if the target of interest is toxic or dangerous and cannot be used as an immunogen.
Furthermore, Abcore has been able to isolate many functional binders from this library for our partners and internally, including our panel of COVID-19 single domain antibodies.