Introduction of ScFv Fragment

​What is scFv fragment? 

In the early 1980s, with the successful development of recombinant antibodies, the research of antibodies has entered a new stage of development. Since then, people have tried to use genetic engineering technology to produce recombinant antibodies in large quantities. 

Through genetic engineering, immunoglobulin molecules have been processed and modified at the gene level, and a large number of small molecular antibodies have been developed for research, diagnosis and treatment. These antibodies not only retain the biological activity and characteristics of natural antibodies, but also remove most of the irrelevant structures, making them more suitable for in vivo diagnosis and treatment. 

ScFv fragment has attracted more and more attention and research due to its advantages of small molecular weight, strong penetration and high affinity. Single chain antibody fragment (scFv) is composed of heavy chain variable region (VH) and light chain variable region (VL) linked by 15 to 20 amino acids of short peptide (linker). 

Its relative molecular weight is about 2.5KDa, which is only 1/6 of the complete antibody.