Tags Antigen
Antigen tests: Are they a good alternative to standard PCR tests for COVID-19 diagnostic?
We hear a lot about antigen tests for rapid diagnostic on COVID-19 patients. But are those tests really a good alternative to PCR tests, or are they more likely complementary? Consult our page dedicated to serological and antigen tests to learn more about antigen tests: their purpose, their limit...
What are MAP peptides?
Multiple Antigen Peptide is an alternative method of generating antibodies from peptides. Rather than conjugating the desired peptide to a carrier protein the peptides are synthesized onto a polylysine resin. The resulting structure, once cleaved from the resin, is a polylysine core surrounded by...
Is it possible to make antibodies against non-peptides (haptens)?
In analogy to conjugating peptides, it is possible to conjugate low molecular weight molecules to spacers and then to carrier proteins. In this way antibodies against hormones for example can be generated.
How should I ship my antigen?
Samples should be shipped on dry ice whenever possible. Peptides and SDS-PAGE gel slices can be sent at room temperature.
What buffers are compatible with immunizations?
Most biologically related buffers are compatible with immunization, this includes PBS, Tris buffer, phosphate buffer, in moderate molarity. The antigen should be in a concentration of 1mg/ml or better and should be shipped frozen on dry ice when possible.
What if my antigen is insoluble in biological buffers?
Protein concentrations should be at least 1mg/ml with minimal amounts of urea, SDS, guanidine hydrochloride (and other chemotropic agents). Should the antigen require the presence of these agents then the antigen concentration should be raised to 5-10 mg/ml. By injecting small volumes (10-50 µl) ...
What methods do you recommend to conjugate a peptide to a carrier molecule?
The most important factor is to determine which end of the peptide should be conjugated to the carrier molecule. Once this has been determined, then there are a plethora of chemistries (linking agents) that can be used to conjugate the peptide to the carrier molecule. Maleimide-Thiol Linkage The ...
How long should a peptide that is going to be used as an antigen for antibody production be?
We usually use peptides that are 13 to 15 amino acids long in length, however shorter and longer peptides have been known to work. We have successfully raised anti-peptide antibodies to peptides that differ in the presence/absence of a single phosphate (our phospho-specific antibody programme). A...