The present invention refers to synthetic antibody molecules which comprise domains from naturally occuring antibodies, e.g. domains derivable from IgG, preferably of human origin, in a novel arrangement. Single chain molecules are provided which are suitable for expression in micro-organisms in their active conformation, which single chain molecules generally comprise a VL domain, a CL domain, and a VH domain, a CH1 domain, linked by a linker arranged between VUCL and VH/CH1. Accordingly, these antibody molecules can be termed single chain Fabs (scFabs). These antibody molecules are single chain proteins, which can also be associated to dimers, including heteromeric antibodies, wherein at least two single chain antibody molecules are associated.