Optimizing the affinity and specificity of proteins with molecular display.

Affinity maturation of receptor-ligand interactions represents an important area of academic and pharmaceutical research. Improving affinity and specificity of proteins can tailor potency for both in vivo and in vitro applications. A number of different display platforms including phage display, bacterial and yeast display, ribosome display, and mRNA display can optimize protein affinity and specificity. Here, we will review the advantages and disadvantages of these molecular display methods with a focus on their suitability for protein affinity maturation.