Comparison of the efficiency of antibody selection from semi-synthetic scFv and non-immune Fab phage display libraries against protein targets for rapid development of diagnostic immunoassays

► Phage libraries ideal for rapid isolation of diagnostic antibodies in an emergency. ► We compared utility of synthetic scFv and natural Fab libraries for such purposes. ► All antibodies from Fab library could be rapidly expressed as full-length IgG. ► Majority of scFv library antibodies carry amber stops or CDR glycosylations. ► Screening Fab library therefore preferred method for rapid antibody development.