Polyclonal Antibodies

What are Polyclonal Antibodies?

Polyclonal antibodies are antibodies that come from multiple B cell clones of a host animal. The typical hosts used for the majority of polyclonal antibody production are rabbits, goats, sheep, and donkeys. These polyclonal antibodies, once having identified their target, will bind to different epitopes located at different regions or sequences on the same protein/antigen. As a result, they are ideal at locating and binding to the target, even if the target is in very low concentrations (due to many different antibodies being able to bind to the same target molecule, which allows for significant amplification of a downstream signal).

Polyclonal antibodies are typically produced by injecting an antigen into a host animal, which causes the animal’s immune system to attack the foreign antigen by mass generating antibodies against it. After a period of time, serum is collected from the animal and purified using physicochemical fractionation, class-specific affinity purification, and/or antigen-affinity purification.

Key Uses of Polyclonal Antibodies

• Western Blotting: This method is used to find specific proteins in biological samples after separating them by size.


• Immunohistochemistry: IHC helps visualize the location of proteins in tissue sections using various staining techniques.


• ELISA: (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) is typically used to identify specific protein quantities in a sample. ELISAs can be either “Quantitative” or “Qualitative”.


• Flow Cytometry: technique that identifies and measures the specific protein on the surface or inside the cells in a fluid suspension.


• Immunoprecipitation: IP isolates and studies a specific protein from a complex mixture using antibodies.

Why Buy Polyclonal Antibodies from AAA Biotech?

1. Ideal for Various Applications

Our antibodies are generally going to be validated for use in multiple types of assays, including ELISA, Western Blotting, Immunohistochemistry, Immunoprecipitation, amongst others. They are ideal for a wide range of research applications.

2. Rigorous Quality Control

All of the antibodies in our catalog undergo strict quality testing to ensure specificity, sensitivity, and consistent performance. We are confident in the ability of our antibodies to provide you with accurate results.

3. Wide Assortment of Antibodies

Antibodies in are catalog can be found for both common and exotic species, and these antibodies are also available in both conjugated and recombinant forms to suit many diverse experimental needs.

4. Highly Purified

Our antibodies are available in purified forms with over 85% purity, as confirmed by SDS-PAGE. They are also available with tags such as His, Flag, GST, or MBP. We cater to customers worldwide.

FAQ

1. How are polyclonal antibodies produced?

Traditionally, polyclonal antibodies are produced by injecting an antigen into a host animal (such as a rabbit or goat), which then triggers an immune response from the host animal. The animal’s B cells produce antibodies that will recognize different parts of the injected antigen. These antibodies are then collected from the animal’s blood and purified for use.

2. How do polyclonal antibodies differ from monoclonal antibodies?

Polyclonal antibodies are a mix of antibodies that bind to different locations (epitopes) of the same antigen, while monoclonal antibodies are identical and bind to just one specific epitope. This makes polyclonal antibodies more versatile and better at detecting proteins that may be present in low quantities or in altered/modified forms.

3. How should I store polyclonal antibodies?

Polyclonal antibodies should be stored at 4°C for short-term use (up to a few weeks) and at -20°C or -80°C for long-term storage. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles by dividing them into small aliquots. Always check the datasheet for specific storage instructions.