What is a Recombinant Antibody?
Recombinant antibodies (rAbs) are monoclonal antibodies that are generated using in vitro cloning. Unlike monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) which are produced using traditional hybridoma-based technologies,genes for an antibody's light and heavy chains are inserted into expression vectors, which are then transfected into host cells for expression. Recombinant antibodies do not need hybridomas and animals in the production process. Because of this technology, recombinant antibodies offer key advantages which include superior lot-to-lot consistency, continuous supply, and cruelty-free production.
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Advantages of Using rAbs
Increased Reproducibility
Because recombinant antibody production involves sequencing the antibody light and heavy chains, recombinant antibody production allows researchers more control over the antigen. In contrast, hybridoma-based systems for producing monoclonal antibodies are subject to genetic drift and instability, increasing the potential for lot-to-lot variability. Since rAbs are defined by the sequences that encode them, they are more reliable and provide more reproducible results than mAbs. By adjusting experimental conditions, researchers can easily favor the isolation of antibodies against antigens.
Ease of Scalability and Continuous Supply
In vitro methods for producing antibodies are amenable to large-scale production, meaning antibody availability is unlikely to become a limiting factor. Recombinant antibodies can be produced in weeks as opposed to months. Moreover, since the recombinant antibody sequence is known, continuity of supply is assured. This means antibody expression can be carried out at any scale with guaranteed long-term supply giving you added peace of mind and continuity for projects of all sizes, making recombinant antibodies a great solution for long-term studies.
Animal-Free Tech
Once the antibody-producing genes are isolated, high-throughput in vitro manufacture can be implemented. This eliminates the numerous ethical and animal welfare concerns commonly associated with traditional monoclonal antibody production.
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