Technology process

Our rabbit clonal antibodies are developed by a novel „in vitro cloning technology“ which enables the preparation of a pure immunoglobulin fraction corresponding to a single clone of B lymphocytes. The obtained immunoglobulin recognizes one single linear epitope on the antigen molecule, therefore this antibody is comparable quality-wise to its monoclonal analogue. Moreover, the influence of the protein tertiary structure – frequently present in epitopes recognized by monoclonal antibodies – is eliminated in immunoglobulins corresponding to the clonal antibody.


 

Technology process FAQ

1. Why does DB Biotech select only the linear epitopes when designing clonal antibodies?

Linear epitopes from the hydrophilic domains of antigen molecule are always accessible, whereas steric epitopes which are often recognized by monoclonal antibodies, frequently change their conformation during tissue preparation/fixation, protein extraction, etc., making the corresponding monoclonal antibody less specific, less avid, and in extreme cases not functional.

2. What is the advantage of using rabbit clonal antibody produced from crude rabbit antiserum by in vitro cloning technology, when compared to monoclonal antibodies from hybridoma fusion cell lines?

Outside of strictly specific linear epitopes characterization, clonal antibodies are mature immunoglobulins (IgG), with the complete post-translational modification of IgG molecule, mainly glycosylation, which plays an important role in stability of immunoglobulins. There are many reports from the literature describing the uncomplete glycosylation patterns of monoclonal antibodies produced from hybridoma cell lines, which has an important influence on stability, affinity and avidity of antigen/antibody interactions.

3. What are the criteria for the selection of the final clone?

The highest possible specificity, affinity and avidity in recognizing a single linear epitope.

4. Are clonal antibodies similar to immunoaffinity purified polyclonals ?

No. Immunoaffinity purified polyclonal antibodies (whether the immunogen is the whole protein or selected peptide) are always represented by numerous fractions of immunoglobulins corresponding to all epitopes in the immunogenic sequence. Rabbit clonal antibody is a homogenous fraction of immunoglobulin (IgG) corresponding exclusively to one and only specifically defined epitope on the antigen molecule.

Advantages of rabbit clonal antibodies

• Exceptional specificity recognizing the corresponding antigen at the concentration of ≥5ng
• Highest possible sensitivity, affinity and avidity
• Reliability on any tissue
• Cost-effective dilutions
• Special focus on difficult targets