Polyclonal sera development and affinity purification

Rabbit immunization We supply 2 ml pre-immune serum to the customer for use as a negative control1. In our standard protocol, rabbits are immunized every four weeks and we test serum taken 7 - 10 days after the second and third immunizations to monitor animal response2. These results are registered on the customer’s private account page online. We also supply 2 ml of serum to the customer after the third injection of antigen for the customer to test in their required assay(s). Based on these results, the immunization schedule may be altered after discussion, but we require customer feedback within two weeks after the test sample is received. On completion of the project, we supply 60 – 70 ml serum per animal immunized to the customer. The price includes all immunizations, testing and antibody delivery charges by courier.
Affinity purification of 10 - 15 ml of serum using peptide column is available on request.
Sheep immunization We supply 2 – 5 ml of pre-immune serum to the customer for use as a negative control1. In our standard protocol, sheep are immunized every four weeks and we test serum taken 7 - 10 days after the second and third immunizations to monitor animal response2. These results are registered on the customer’s private account page online. We also supply 2 - 5 ml of serum to the customer after the third injection of antigen for the customer to test in their required assay(s). Based on these results, the immunization schedule may be altered after discussion, but we require customer feedback within two weeks after the test sample is received. On completion of the project, we supply 500 ml – 1 liter serum per animal immunized to the customer. The price includes all immunizations, testing and antibody delivery charges by courier.
Affinity purification of 10 - 15 ml of serum using peptide column is available on request.
Guinea pig immunization We supply 8 – 10 ml of final serum per animal. We are not able to supply pre-immune serum or serum after second and third injection. Affinity purification of 4 - 5 ml of sera using peptide column is available on request.
Rat immunization We supply 4 – 5 ml of final serum per animal. We are not able to supply pre-immune serum or serum after second and third injection. Affinity purification of 2 - 3 ml of serum using peptide column is available on request.
Mouse immunization If mice are required only for polyclonal antibody production, we supply 200 – 400 ml of final sera for the customer. We are not able to supply pre-immune sera or sera after second and third injection. If required, we can also develop monoclonal antibodies from immunized mice (see the monoclonal antibody production protocol for details).
1After discussion, it is possible for us to send pre-immune serum from more than 1 animal if the customer needs to test non-immunized sera for cross-reaction prior to commencing antibody production. We require the customer to perform these tests and provide feedback to us within two weeks of receiving the sera. There is a small additional charge to cover animal handling costs.
2For antibodies raised against peptide antigens, we use peptide conjugated to KLH as immunogen and perform tests using peptide conjugated to BSA to ensure reactivity is monitored against the antigen, not the carrier.