| QED Bioscience is proud to be the first U.S.
antibody company to offer custom monoclonal and polyclonal antibody development
through genetic immunization. This powerful approach to antibody development
involves the direct immunization of the host animal with plasmid DNA encoding
the client’s protein of interest. The immunized host then produces
the encoded protein and raises antibodies. Genetic immunization is perfectly
suited to producing antibodies when a protein is difficult to express,
purify or when a gene has been obtained, but the protein itself is unknown.
Features and Benefits:
- No additional charge when used with either monoclonal
or polyclonal antibody development
programs.
- Save Time: Large-scale synthesis
and purification of proteins are no longer necessary.
- Control Your Target: Antibodies
are directed only against the encoded protein. Unwanted antibodies to
contaminants found in purified protein preparations are eliminated.
- Produce High Affinity Antibodies: Much
lower amounts of protein generated by genetic immunization, as well
as slow, consistent presentation to the immune system, favor the production
of high affinity antibodies. Plasmid DNA also acts as an adjuvant to
stimulate immune responses.
- Customize Antibodies To Your Applications:
These antibodies can be used in many applications, including, but not
limited to, purifying proteins from cells or tissues, identifying proteins
in prognostic and diagnostic assays, etc.
Guidelines
The following guidelines are provided to assist you in
preparing plasmid DNA for QED's genetic immunization programs:
- Choice Of Expression Vector
The plasmids pcDNA3.1 containing the CMV promoter and pRc/RSV from Invitrogen
have been used successfully. In unusual cases where over-expression
of a protein is cytotoxic, a weaker promoter (such as SV40) is a better
choice.
- Confirmation Of Protein Production
It is recommended that you perform transient transfection of a mammalian
cell line (such as COS, 3T3, or muscle cell lines) in order to confirm
that your DNA-encoded protein can be produced in mammalian cells.
- Preparation Of DNA For Immunization
Plasmid DNA should be dissolved in phosphate-buffered saline at a concentration
of approximately 1-2 mg/ml. A dose of 100 ug/injection/animal will be
administered. We expect to administer 3-4 injections/animal, two weeks
apart.
- Evaluation Of Immunized Animals
A small amount of your DNA-encoded protein (~1 mg) is required for testing
antibody responses of immunized animals. QED will test serum antibody
titers in ELISA unless you require a different assay format. Of course,
QED will send serum samples from immunized animals to you if you prefer
to do this testing in your laboratory.
- Suitability of the Antigen: Three criteria must
be met in order for your antigen to be suitable for this procedure:
- The protein must be expressed by the vector
- Once the protein is expressed in vivo, it must be made available
to the immune system. Proteins that are exported from the cell or
placed on the cell membrane are suitable; nuclear proteins, for
example, are not.
- The protein, upon presentation to the immune system, must be
antigenic. Be sure to check the sequence homology of your protein
to that of the host.
Please let us know if you have any questions about
these Guidelines. We look forward to working with you!
For the latest information on genetic immunization, visit
www.DNAVaccine.com
Call QED Bioscience today to learn more about this exciting
innovation in antibody development. Your programs can begin immediately!
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