Polyclonal Antibody Generation

BioGenes is your expert for high-quality polyclonal antibody development services. Our dedicated team has developed more than 10,000 polyclonal antibodies for more than 30 years. We offer a variety of host species, and our immunization protocols ensure fast results, high yields, and a superior quality.

 

Development Strategy

Every polyclonal antibody development can be customized according to your specific needs and can cover any or all of the workflow steps — consultation, peptide or protein antigen production, antibody generation and purification – for a variety of applications, e.g. for the development of an ELISA.

Phase 1 - Expert consultation

  • Selection of species and immunization protocol

Phase 2 - Preparation of the immunogen

Phase 3 - Immunization

  • According to the selected species and protocol

Phase 4 - ELISA titer tests

  • Of pre-immune sera and antisera 

Phase 5 - QC & shipping

  • Of pre-immune sera and antisera, optional affinity purified antibodies

Approximate project duration: 5 weeks (high speed protocol for proteins). 

Extended protocols available.

If you need more information, a specific offer or want to talk to an expert:

Contact Us

Animals and Protocols

 

All animals used for polyclonal antibody generation are housed in certified facilities in Germany demonstrating our commitment and responsibility for animal welfare.

Rabbits

We offer different immunization protocols for antibody generation in rabbits, depending on whether antibodies are needed in a short time, highly specific or large amounts. Depending on the antigen (protein or peptide) and the requirements, our protocol lengths differ. The times and yields are shown in the following tables.

Protein Immunization Protocols
For the immunization of rabbits with proteins, we offer different strategies depending on the objective pursued. Certain protocols can be adapted in consultation with our scientists. The quality of the serum is always controlled by ELISA. After delivery of the antiserum the animals can be further kept if choosing the protein protocols High Speed, High Quality or High Yield.

 

ProtocolAntigen provided by the customerProducts sent to the customerExpected time frame
High Speed Protein1 mg (≈ 1 mg/mL)1.5 mL pre-immune serum and approx. 15 mL antiserum per animal5 weeks
High Quality Protein1.5 mg soluble protein
(purity at least 90%, conc.
and at least 1 mg/mL)
1.5 mL pre-immune serum and approx. 30 mL antiserum per animal8 – 9 weeks
High Yield Protein2 mg protein (≈1 mg/mL)1.5 mL pre-immune serum and approx. 60 mL antiserum per animal17 weeks
Complete & Easy Protein1.5 mg protein (≈1 mg/mL)1.5 mL pre-immune serum and approx. 90 mL antiserum per animal15 weeks

 

Peptide Immunization Protocols
Our scientists will assist you in the selection of the sequence and conjugation to a carrier protein. We recommend a sequence of 15 amino acids, which will be synthesized and purified by our collaborators. Immunization is carried out according to the following protocols and the customer's requirements. Each protocol also includes the delivery of 1.5 mL of pre-immune serum.

 

ProtocolAntigen provided by the customerProducts sent to the customerExpected time frame
High Speed Peptide15 mg1.5 mL pre-immune serum and approx. 15 mL antiserum per animal, 
one peptide aliquot 
10-11 weeks
High Quality Peptide15 mg1.5 mL pre-immune serum and approx. 30 mL antiserum per animal, 
one peptide aliquot 
12-13 weeks
Peptide Mix 15 mg1.5 mL pre-immune serum and approx. 15 mL antiserum per animal, 
one peptide aliquot 
10-11 weeks
Complete & Easy Peptide15 mg1.5 mL pre-immune serum and approx. 90 mL antiserum per animal, 
one peptide aliquot 
17 weeks
Phospho-Peptide15 mg1.5 mL pre-immune serum and affinity purified anti-phospho-peptide and
anti-non-phospho-peptide antibodies, one peptide aliquot 
14 weeks

Mice

Immunization of mice is a cost-effective way to generate polyclonal antibodies if only small amounts of antiserum are required. We conduct a quality control of the antiserum using ELISA, if antigen is suitable. Immunization of mice with peptide antigens is possible upon request

 

ProtocolAntigen provided by the customerProducts sent to the customerExpected time frame
Standard protocol0.5 mg (≈ 1 mg/mL)0.2 - 0.4 mL antiserum per animal42 days

Rats

Immunization of rats leads to higher amount of antiserum compared with mice and is still fast and cost effective. We conduct a quality control of the antiserum using ELISA, if antigen is suitable. Immunization of rats with peptide antigens is possible upon request

 

ProtocolAntigen provided by the customerProducts sent to the customerExpected time frame
Standard protocol0.5 mg (≈ 1 mg/mL)2 - 4 mL antiserum per animal42 days

Sheep & Goats

Immunization of goats or sheep lead to large amounts of antiserum and/or purified antibodies with manageable time frames and animal numbers. The immunization schedules can be modified according to your special requirements and the aim of your project. We conduct a quality control of the antiserum using ELISA, if the antigen is suitable. Animals will be kept after delivery of the antiserum.

 

ProtocolAntigen provided by the customerProducts sent to the customerExpected time frame
42-Day Protocol 11 mg protein (≈ 5 mg/mL)Pre-immune serum and 100 mL antiserum per animal42 days
105-Day Protocol21 mg protein (≈ 5 mg/mL)Pre-immune serum and 400 mL antiserum per animal105 days

Additional Services & Information

Below you can find additional information regarding services, resources and antigen requirements.

Contact 

If you need more information, a specific offer 
or want to talk to an expert

FAQs

What distinguishes polyclonal antibodies from monoclonal antibodies?

Polyclonal antibodies are composed of a mixture of antibodies produced by different B cell clones. They exhibit varied specificity, selectivity, and antigen-binding affinity, recognizing different epitopes of a target molecule.

Which animals are immunized?

BioGenes utilizes a variety of host species for polyclonal antibody development, including rabbits, mice, rats, sheep, and goats.

What are the main applications of polyclonal antibodies?

Polyclonal antibodies are utilized in immunoassays such as immunohistochemistry, ELISA, Western Blot, flow cytometry, immunoprecipitation, as well as in immunotherapy for diseases like cancer and infectious diseases.

Why are polyclonal antibodies considered valuable in various applications?

Polyclonal antibodies offer multi-epitope specificity, making them highly sensitive and effective in detecting or capturing low-abundance targets. They are utilized in diverse applications, including research and diagnostics, due to their versatility.

How do polyclonal antibodies contribute to early detection in cancer and autoimmune markers?

Due to their enhanced sensitivity, polyclonal antibodies are crucial for early detection of markers related to cancer, autoimmunity, and other conditions. This sensitivity is essential for preventing unfavorable disease outcomes.

What challenges are associated with polyclonal antibodies?

Challenges include variability in production yields based on the selected species, animal size and immunization method. Additionally, the variability in antigen selectivity, specificity, and binding affinity necessitates careful consideration in immunoassays, requiring proper control samples.

How do I determine which host species to choose for my polyclonal antibody development project?

The choice of host species depends on your project's specific requirements. Rabbits, mice, rats, sheep, and goats are available options. Our experts can help you make an informed decision based on factors such as antibody yield, project timeline, and antigen compatibility.

What are the key considerations when deciding between rabbit and mouse as host species?

Rabbits are suitable for larger quantities of antiserum, making them ideal for projects requiring high yields. Mice, on the other hand, are cost-effective for smaller volumes of antiserum. The choice depends on your project's scale and budget.

Can you provide guidance on selecting the most suitable immunization protocol?

Our experienced team can assist you in choosing the right immunization protocol tailored to your objectives. Factors to consider include the type of antigen (protein or peptide), desired antibody characteristics, and the timeframe for antibody development.

How are polyclonal antibodies purified?

Polyclonal antibodies are purified using either immunoglobulin-specific or antigen-specific methods. It's worth noting that the ultimate decision regarding purification methods typically rests with the customer.

  • Immunoglobulin-Specific Purification:
    • Protein A or protein G purification: Protein A or protein G is used to efficiently purify polyclonal antibodies, particularly IgG immunoglobulins. These proteins interact with the Fc region, allowing straightforward recovery from crude antisera.
  • Antigen-Specific Purification:
    • Using the target antigen: Antigen-specific purification involves using the target antigen to further purify polyclonal antibodies.

How long can animals be kept?

The duration of animal housing is flexible and can be tailored to meet the specific protocol requirements of the project.

Newsletter

Keep me updated