Primary antibodies are key reagents used to detect or quantify particular antigens across various sample types.
Polyclonal antibodies are a heterogeneous mixture of antibodies that recognize different epitopes of a target antigen. Targeting multiple epitopes on the same antigen can enhance sensitivity, allowing for the detection of low-abundance targets or lower concentrations of the antigen. However, polyclonal antibodies can exhibit batch-to-batch variability, cross-reactivity, and lower specificity, which can be mitigated by cross-adsorption to remove antibodies that target different antigens that may be present.
Monoclonal primary antibodies overcome limitations often encountered with other production methods as they consist of antibodies with identical variable regions. Recombinant monoclonal antibodies build on this further by eliminating genetic drift that may result in variability in the final product. Moreover, large-scale production of antibodies against challenging targets like toxins, nucleotides, and membrane-bound proteins can be achieved when using recombinant monoclonal antibodies.
In cases where polyclonal antibodies are traditionally used, such as for analyzing low-abundance targets or detecting multiple post-translational modifications, recombinant multiclonal antibodies provide an ideal alternative. These antibodies are a defined mixture of carefully selected recombinant monoclonal antibodies, each recognizing different epitopes on the same antigen, delivering exceptional sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility not achievable with conventional polyclonal antibodies.
We also offer matched antibody pairs - a pair of antibodies confirmed to bind to different epitopes. These are suitable for applications like ELISA, where a difference in the epitope recognized by the different antibodies is crucial for accurate results.
Our chimeric antibodies are engineered antibodies using the same Fc region (the binding/variable region of the antibody) and replacing the backbone region with that of a different species. By doing so, you are able to use the same antibody in different model systems for easier data comparability and you can eliminate issues of species-on-species interactions.
Our fluorescently conjugated primary antibodies deliver bright and reliable results for immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. These fluorescently labeled antibodies simplify protein analysis, saving valuable time and resources by eliminating the need for a secondary antibody. We offer a wide and ever-growing selection of fluorescently conjugated antibodies, ideal for several applications. We also offer fluorescently conjugated antibody panels for multiplex-based applications.
Similarly, we offer a range of antibodies with other conjugates, such as tags or enzymes suitable for several applications, including signal visualization in tissues, pull-down assays, and quantitative measurement of your target in a range of samples.
Additionally, our carrier-free antibodies are optimized for antibody labeling. These antibodies can be added directly to the conjugation reaction without the need for purification, eliminating antibody loss and bypassing the need for buffer exchange or antibody concentration. When paired with our Lightning-Link® labeling technology, conjugation becomes even more straightforward and efficient. Using our unconjugated and carrier-free antibodies, you can develop your own panels of fluorescent antibodies, thus providing you with an additional level of flexibility when designing your experiments.
FEATURES
- Our polyclonal antibodies provide broad epitope coverage for the detection of low-abundance targets.
- Our recombinantly manufactured antibodies offer unrivaled batch-to-batch consistency, confirmed specificity through industry-leading validation, ease of scalability, and a consistent long-term supply.
- Our fluorescently conjugated primary antibodies are thoroughly validated in multiple applications to ensure accurate signal localization and reliable results from the start. Stringent quality checks and rigorous quality assurance processes guarantee consistent performance across batches with minimal variability and a high signal-to-noise ratio during the engineering of recombinant fluorescently conjugated antibodies.
- Our carrier-free antibodies are free of BSA, sodium azide, and glycerol, enhancing conjugation efficiency with various labels such as fluorochromes, metals, oligonucleotides, and enzymes. They are recombinantly manufactured and supplied at a high concentration (1 mg/mL), ensuring consistent batch-to-batch performance and eliminating the need for post-conjugation concentration, with sizes available in 100 μg or 1 mg for scalable applications.
- The carrier-free antibodies are individually clone-validated and screened in plasma and serum to guarantee specificity. Purified IgG increases the conjugation yield. Their low endotoxin (≤1 EU/mL) levels and azide-free composition make them ideal for both in vitro and in vivo studies, reducing non-specific responses and false readings in cell-based assays while maintaining bioactivity in neutralization, blocking, or activation experiments.
- Our matched antibody pairs are specifically designed and selected from a cohort of recombinant monoclonal antibodies to ensure no overlap and the unique detection of different epitopes on the same antigen.
APPLICATIONS
- Polyclonal antibodies play a crucial role in several key applications.
- Recombinant monoclonal antibodies are used in a wide range of applications, including multiplex immunohistochemistry (mIHC), immunocytochemistry/immunofluorescence (ICC/IF), western blotting (WB), immunohistochemistry on paraffin-embedded samples (IHC-P), and intracellular and extracellular flow cytometry.
- Recombinant multiclonal antibodies are ideal for applications traditionally suited for polyclonals, offering enhanced detection of post-translational modifications. They exhibit the benefits of both polyclonal antibodies and recombinant monoclonal antibodies, such as increased sensitivity for low abundance targets, broad pan-target recognition (such as the entire cytokeratin family), cross-species detection where protein homology is low, and broader epitope coverage.
- Fluorescently-conjugated antibodies are central for research applications like ICC/IF, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and flow cytometry. Our fluorescently-conjugated recombinant monoclonal antibodies provide specificity of reliability and come with a wide range of fluorescent conjugates.
- Our carrier-free antibodies are ideal for multiplex assays, enabling high-dimensional flow cytometry and advanced multiplex immunohistochemistry. They provide you with the flexibility to tailor your antibody panel to your specific needs.
- Our matched antibody pairs enable flexible customization for ELISA and high-throughput screening (HTS), including applications such as fluorescence proximity assays using Time-Resolved Fluorescence Energy Transfer (TR-FRET). They are developed using our recombinant monoclonal antibody technology ensuring high batch-to-batch consistency, specificity, and reliability.
FAQs
How are primary antibodies used in research?
Primary antibodies are used in research to specifically bind to and detect target antigens within various biological samples, facilitating the localization, quantification, and analysis of proteins. These antibodies are integral to techniques such as western blotting, immunohistochemistry, ELISA, and flow cytometry, enabling researchers to study protein expression, localization, and interactions. Commonly, a secondary antibody is used to detect the primary antibody and allow for signal amplification, which is particularly valuable when working with low-abundance targets.
What is the difference between primary and secondary antibodies?
Primary antibodies are designed to bind directly to a specific antigen, whereas secondary antibodies bind to primary antibodies, often conjugated to a reporter molecule that enables detection or visualization in various assays. The use of a secondary antibody allows for signal amplification, as multiple secondary antibody molecules can bind to one primary antibody, and each secondary antibody will carry a reporter molecule, meaning multiple reporter molecules per one primary antibody molecule.
What are conjugated primary antibodies, and when is it recommended to use them instead of secondary antibodies?
Conjugated primary antibodies are antibodies that have been directly labeled with a detectable tag or reporter molecule, such as a fluorescent dye, enzyme, isotope, nanoparticle, or another tag, eliminating the need for a secondary antibody for detection. They simplify experimental workflows by directly binding to the target and providing a detectable signal, saving time and reducing complexity. However, by using both primary and secondary antibodies, you can amplify low-abundance signals, thus increasing the sensitivity.
How do primary antibodies bind to antigens?
Primary antibodies bind to antigens through their antigen-binding sites within the variable regions. These specifically recognize and attach to unique epitopes on the antigen via noncovalent interactions such as hydrogen bonds, electrostatic forces, and hydrophobic interactions.
What is the role of primary antibodies in ELISA?
In indirect and competitive ELISA, primary antibodies specifically bind to the target antigen to capture it, thereby forming an antigen-antibody complex.