Editor’s note: Antibodies are generally considered the research workhorses across the life sciences. Being the commodity that they are, an antibody’s functional consistency and validation plays a major role in experimental success. From the wide breadth of antibody-based tools available comes the next step in this technology: ABfinityTM recombinant monoclonal antibodies. Highly specific, sensitive and produced by proprietary methods, ABfinityTM is the latest in antibody technology to advance basic research. For an insider’s look at this latest achievement, we sat down with Chandan Bhambhani, R&D Lead, Recombinant Antibodies, Protein and Cell Analysis at Thermo Fisher Scientific.
Q: Let’s take a quick step back. How did you get to where you are today, leading the efforts behind recombinant antibody technology?
A: The Human Genome Project was my inspiration to get into science. I have a chemical engineering undergraduate degree and had not taken any biology courses during undergrad. Fascination for genome sequencing led me into changing my field and pursuing an M.S. and Ph.D. in the stream of molecular biotechnology and cell biology.
Chandan Bhambhani, R&D Lead, Recombinant Antibodies, Protein and Cell Analysis at Thermo Fisher Scientific
Q: So tell us how the making of ABfinityTM came about. What problem does it solve?
A: It’s a proprietary technology based on reverse engineering of light chain and heavy chain transcripts. It allows for genetic manipulation and expression of antibody cDNA clones in cultured cell systems as opposed to isolation of antibodies directly from immunized animals. These provide an anxiety-free user experience as the antibodies are consistent in performance, do not require optimization of the new lot and are stringently tested for detection in various assays.
Q: Why would a researcher choose ABfinityTM over a classic rabbit monoclonal antibody?
A: It’s a recombinant antibody where the method of development involves iterative screens to select the best antibody suited for use in multiple assays. Obtaining a variety of clones is not the limiting factor, making it easier to select a highly sensitive and specific antibody. In addition, there is lot-to-lot consistency as it is expressed from cDNA using a heterologous system as compared to a classic rabbit monoclonal which might undergo genetic drift leading to changes in its detection properties.
Interested in learning more? Click here for our quick ABfinityTM 101 and to find one for your specific target of interest.
Sources:
Recombinant Rabbit Monoclonal Antibodies
Rabbit Monoclonal Antibodies
For Research Use Only. Not for Use in Diagnostic Procedures.
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