They help recognize proteins, cells or tissues in research samples. Antibodies are produced by living organisms as part of the immune system to identify and neutralize foreign elements known as antigens. In research, specific antibodies are developed as tools to detect target antigens of interest related to disease pathology, cell signaling or gene regulation.

Antibody Types and Specificity

There are different types of Research Antibodies classified based on their origin and structure. Monoclonal antibodies are produced by identical immune cells cloned from a single parent cell. They are highly specific for detecting a single epitope or antigenic site. Polyclonal antibodies are derived from different immune cells and can bind to multiple epitopes on an antigen. Recombinant antibodies are manufactured in cells or yeast without relying on animal immune responses. Antibodies can also be categorized as primary or secondary based on their use in assays. The appropriate type and specificity of an antibody must be selected based on the target antigen and intended application.

Antibody Validation and Characterization

It is important to validate research antibodies for intended use by performing characterization experiments. Western blotting is useful to check the antibody's specificity by comparing band patterns in different tissue or cell line lysates. Immunohistochemistry on tissue microarrays allows visualizing antigen localization. Knockdown or overexpression studies involving antigen elimination or increased expression aids in validating antibody specificity. Knowing the antibody's species reactivity, recommended dilution factors and protocols for different techniques is vital before using it in an assay. Properly validated and characterized antibodies deliver more consistent and reproducible results.

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