Discovery of selective nanobodies for orphan G protein-coupled receptors

In the project we focus on orphan receptors which we believe are important for human brain function. The term 'orphan' refers to the fact that the signal molecules activating the receptors are unknown, which makes it very difficult to decipher the function of the receptors in the brain. In the project we aim to develop small antibody fragments (so-called nanobodies) targeting orphan receptors, which would present the first pharmacological tools available for the receptors. Such tools would enable future studies of the function of the orphan receptors potentially unraveling novel biological signaling systems.