In the field of in vitro diagnostics (IVD), the quality and applicability of antibodies as core reagents directly determine the accuracy and reliability of test results. How to accurately select suitable IVD antibodies has become a focus of attention for many researchers and workers. As a company deeply involved in the field of biochemical reagent raw materials, Hubei Xindesheng has rich experience in the research and production of related raw materials. It has profound insights into the selection of IVD antibodies and can consider the following key aspects.

Specific selection

1. Protein specificity

When selecting antibodies for target proteins, many details should not be underestimated. The requirements for antibodies are completely different for the detection of recombinant expressed proteins and endogenous proteins. When reviewing the testing instructions in the antibody manual, careful identification is necessary. If the recombinant protein is not expressed in full length, it is important to pay attention to whether the immunogenic region of the antibody is included in the recombinant protein region. The detection of endogenous proteins requires a clear understanding of their cleavage and modification modes.

For proteins with specific phenotypes, sequence alignment should be performed and combined with antibody immunogen sequences to thoroughly examine cross reactivity. It is important to determine the specific site when detecting phosphorylated proteins, as phosphorylation at different sites often implies different mechanisms of action and cannot be generalized. In biomarker detection, if the target protein has multiple modification forms, only by selecting antibodies targeting specific modification sites can the detection results accurately reflect the true situation of the cancer.

2. Species specificity

The same protein exhibits varying degrees of differences between different species. Currently, most commercial antibodies are prepared using human protein sequences as templates, through recombinant proteins or designed peptide antigens, and will undergo cross reactivity with other species based on protein homology. Therefore, when selecting antibodies, it is necessary to refer to the reactive species information indicated in the instructions. For special species, antibodies with homologous sequences can be selected for immunization through protein sequence alignment.

3. Experimental method specificity

The current experimental methods for using antibodies are diverse, and due to different processing methods and protein content requirements for protein samples, the recognition epitopes and potency requirements for antibodies are also different. Therefore, the selection should be based on the product application method indicated in the manual. However, manufacturers usually do not conduct all experimental tests on each antibody, and common tests are mostly focused on WB, IHC, IF, etc. If no suitable antibody is found for a specific experimental method, the antibody can be screened by combining protein sequence analysis and antigen information of the antibody.

4. Specificity of markers

Generally, methods based on conventional experimental operations such as WB and IHC do not require the use of labeled primary antibodies, but instead rely on secondary antibody reagents to label and present the results. However, experiments based on instrument analysis and flow cytometry may require the use of directly labeled primary antibodies. At this point, it is necessary to understand the fluorescence range that the instrument can detect and select the corresponding label according to different parameter requirements. In the immunofluorescence double labeling experiment, it is necessary to select different fluorescent markers reasonably. The quality of antibodies is generally demonstrated through experimental results, but it is difficult to accurately determine before selection. The quality of antibodies varies significantly among different brands, and even within the same brand but different products, and there is a lack of unified measurement standards.

Many people are accustomed to selecting based on laboratory traditions or references, but the effectiveness of different batches of antibodies varies, making it impossible to ensure the accuracy of the selection. In this situation, antibody after-sales service is particularly crucial. Some brands provide free antibody samples to determine in advance whether the antibodies are suitable for the experiment, avoiding delays in the experimental process due to quality issues. When selecting fluorescently labeled antibodies for flow cytometry, reference should be made to instrument parameters and experimental requirements, combined with free sample testing, to accurately select the appropriate labeled antibodies.

Price and specification considerations

In terms of price, it is important to remember that 'expensive is not always good, what is suitable for experimentation is the ideal choice'. It is not uncommon to spend a lot of time complaining about quality issues after purchasing antibodies at a high price. Some old brand antibody products often come in large packages, which can lead to waste for individual experiments. In research projects with limited funding, selecting antibodies with appropriate specifications, reasonable prices, and satisfactory performance can ensure smooth experiments and avoid resource waste.

The selection of IVD antibodies is a systematic and meticulous task that requires comprehensive consideration of multiple dimensions of specificity, as well as price, specifications, and other aspects. Hubei Xindesheng provides reliable raw material support for the industry with professional R&D and production experience, helping researchers avoid detours in the IVD antibody selection process and improve detection quality. If you have any purchasing needs, please feel free to contact us at any time!