Antibody purification extracts antibodies from antiserum for use in research, therapy, and diagnosis. Sources include animal antiserum and cloned cells. Techniques such as affinity chromatography and protein A/G are used to isolate antibodies, and customized antibodies can be ordered from companies.
Antibody purification is a process where antibodies are extracted from an antiserum that contains a mixture of compounds. Once purified, the antibodies can be used in a variety of ways. This process can be done at laboratories that offer an antibody purification service, and people can also purify their own, if they have the necessary equipment and tools. This can be done in a lab where people want a quick turnaround for their research, or when researchers are concerned about protecting the integrity of the original research.
A major source of antibodies is antiserum produced in animals. In this case, an animal is repeatedly injected with an antigen until it develops antibodies, and its blood is used to prepare an antiserum that can be purified to access the antibodies. Another source of antibodies is a cloned cell that produces antibodies as part of a colony of identical cells; this method is used for the mass production of so-called “monoclonal antibodies”.
There are several techniques that can be used for the purification of antibodies. The most suitable technique depends on the medium to be purified. Antibodies produced in eggs, for example, are treated differently than antiserum from a rabbit or a goat. Affinity chromatography and protein A/G are both used in the pursuit of antibody purification, for the purpose of isolating the antibodies from the rest of the solution. Classical antibody purification relies on the use of a substance that binds to a specific antibody, holding it in place while the rest of the solution is washed away.
Relatively small amounts of antibodies may be needed for research. In other cases, they have to be generated in large quantities because they are used in therapy or diagnosis. For example, antibodies can be used with an ELISA test to determine whether or not someone has been exposed to a virus. The test can reveal whether or not the corresponding antibodies are present in the blood and in what concentration, which can be important in determining the severity and extent of an infection. In this case, you need to have ample stocks of antibodies to avoid delays with testing.
Researchers can order customized antibodies through companies that make antibodies. These companies often provide a whole package, supplying the researcher with purified antibodies at the end of a set time period. The cost of producing and purifying the antibody varies depending on the company and the antibody produced.
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