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are experts in polyclonal antibody production using a range of hosts from rabbit to chicken to alpaca.
Immunization of your selected host with the antigen of interest provokes an immune response that generates antibodies recognizing a variety of different epitopes on the antigen. The antibody-containing fraction from the animal is then isolated and either used directly in the desired immunoassay or subjected to purification. In either case, the antibody preparation is ‘polyclonal’ (i.e. a mixture of different antibodies recognizing different epitopes on the antigen).
ANTIBODIES THAT WORK
- Designed and made on-site in our Davis, California laboratory.
- Options for several hosts, with large amounts of antibody possible from larger hosts.
- Multiple epitope binding of polyclonals encourages signal amplification.
- Polyclonals are more likely perform to across a variety of sample types including native, denatured, and fixed tissues.
COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE
- Help selecting the optimal host animal. Consult our host selection guide or receive guidance from our team of scientists!
- Full-service antibodies, including: selection of immunogen, immunization schedule, and ELISA testing.
- Need antibody purification or conjugation? We provide those services and more!
CUSTOMIZED TO YOUR RESEARCH
- Customer support from the scientist making your antibody.
- Our experienced team takes the time to learn your specific goals and designs an antibody solution for your research.
- Throughout your project, we work collaboratively with you to ensure the antibody meets your specifications.
Custom Antibody Service Options by Host
We offer polyclonal packages for several different hosts. Basic outlines of the process are provided below, but additional options can be added to provide you with a fully customizable service. Contact us with your details. We look forward to providing you with a speedy project consultation and quote!
Chicken Polyclonal Development
Evolutionarily removed from mammals, chickens offer many advantages over traditional mouse and rabbit hosts. Their unique IgY antibody molecules mount a robust immune response to mammalian immunogens and don't cross-react with mouse and rabbit secondaries. This results in a strong, clean signal with lower background. Find out more about our chicken antibody service packages on our dedicated page.
Estimated Timeframe
3-4 month production protocol
*Add 4-6 weeks if requesting protein immunogen synthesis.
VIEW Timeline Details - Chicken Polyclonals
Includes:
Immunogen Selection (Variable timeline)
- Determination of optimal immunogen for your project.
- You can supply your own immunogen or we can work together to design and synthesize a peptide immunogen that meets your criteria (species reactivity, degree of reactivity with related proteins etc.).
Immunization Schedule (7-8 weeks)
- Purified Immune IgY from two (2) chickens (approx. 800 mg of IgY per hen)
- Pre-Immune IgY from each chicken (~150 mg of IgY per hen)
- Four (4) immunizations per animal.
ELISA Report (1 week)
- Eggs are collected and IgY is analyzed by ELISA and compared to the pre-immune eggs to evaluate titer (recommended).
IgY Purification (1 week)
- Twelve (12) eggs are used to prepare purified IgY using our proprietary protocol yielding an IgY preparation that is >90% pure.
- The purified IgY prep can be used in most common applications (immunohistochemistry, immunocytochemistry, Western blotting etc.).
- To obtain only antigen-specific binders, the IgY prep can be further subjected to affinity purification.
Affinity Purification - optional (2 weeks)
- The IgY fraction is subjected to antigen-specific affinity purification yielding an antigen-specific antibody preparation that is >90% pure.
Rabbit Polyclonal Development
Rabbits are the most common host for polyclonal antibody production. They provide a strong immune response to a variety of antigens. We offer polyclonal development from immunization to purified antibody.
Estimated Timeframe
4-6 month production protocol
*Add 3-4 weeks if requesting peptide immunogen synthesis.
View Timeline Details - Rabbit Polyclonals
Includes:
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Immunogen Selection (Variable Timeline)
- You can provide the immunogen or we can work with you to design and synthesize a peptide immunogen.
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Immunization and Bleeds (8 weeks)
- Collection of 10 mL pre-immune bleed for control.
- 57 day immunization protocol - includes 5 immunizations and a test bleed taken after third immunization.
- Single production bleed taken after 5th immunization (~15 mL serum).
- Serum can be used directly or purified by Protein A or affinity purification.
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ELISA Report (Less than one week)
- Test bleed analyzed by ELISA and compared to the pre-immune bleed to evaluate titer.
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Protein A or Affinity Purification (2 weeks)
- Production bleed is subjected to Protein A or Affinity purification.
- Protein A: The purified IgG prep can be used in most applications.
- Affinity Pure: Isolate antigen-specific IgG yielding a >90% pure antibody preparation.
- Production bleed is subjected to Protein A or Affinity purification.
Alpaca Nanobody Development
Camelids produce an entirely different type of antibody that is devoid of light chains and is commonly referred to as a "heavy chain only antibody" (HCAb). The recombinant variable domains of HCAbs are known as nanobodies which possess unique properties such as small size that permits deep tissue penetration and crossing of the blood brain barrier. They have gained popularity due to the relative ease of cloning intact "single-domain" antibodies from their immune repertoire for use in phage display screening.
Estimated Timeframe
2-3 month production protocol
*Add 8-10 weeks if requesting protein immunogen synthesis.
View Timeline Details - Alpaca Nanobodies
Includes:
Immunogen Selection (Variable timeline)
- Customers may submit recombinant protein antigens for use as immunogens.
- Alpacas generally do not mount robust immune responses against small molecules or peptides.
Immunization and Bleeds (8 weeks)
- Collection of 10 mL pre-immune bleed for use as control
- 63-day immunization protocol includes two test bleeds taken after second and fourth immunizations.
- Single production bleed taken after fifth immunization, up to ~250 mL whole blood (can be shipped as whole blood or sent as serum).
ELISA Report (Less than one week)
- First and second test bleeds are analyzed by ELISA and compared to the pre-immune bleed to evaluate titer.
Polyclonal Host Comparison
| Host | Advantages | Limitations |
| Chicken |
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| Rabbit |
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| Goat |
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| Alpaca |
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| Guinea Pig |
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FAQs
How long will my project take?
It depends on your selected host and the level of purification of your antibody. Chicken and rabbit projects typically take 4-6 months - add extra time if immunogen synthesis is requested. Alpaca nanobodies are typically ready in 2-3 months, but adding protein immunogen synthesis can add an additional 2-3 months.
How much antigen should I send?
If supplying your own antigen, please provide a minimum of 1.0 mg with >90% purity preferred. If it is difficult to provide 1.0 mg or more of high purity antigen, less pure antigen can be used for immunization and higher purity antigen can be used for screening, which requires as little as 250 micrograms.
What are the purity options for my antibody?
Unpurified fractions (serum for rabbit and alpaca) can be used in immunoassays. However if higher purity is desired, we offer Protein A or affinity purification for our rabbit polyclonals. Purified IgY from chicken polyclonals can be used directly in immunoassays, but affinity purification is also available. Alpaca antibody is supplied as serum.
How do I select the best host animal for my project?
You can check out our chart above to get a feel for the options. Our dedicated custom antibody team will be your partners throughout the process and are happy to help you with selecting the perfect host animal for your research needs.
What about intellectual property (IP) and exclusivity?
All projects are done as 'fee for service'. You retain all rights to the projects deliverables we produce for you.
Related Services
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CUSTOM PHOSPHOSPECIFIC ANTIBODIES
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- Our scientists are experts in phosphorylation - from peptide antigen design to purification to ELISA characterization.
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