Exciting new packaging materials for polyclonal antibodies: chicken eggs

A wide range of animals are used in the production of polyclonal antibodies. Although mammals are most commonly used, "These data suggest that chickens are an alternative model for producing pAbs (polyclonal antibodies) against mammal high-homology proteins such as MT (metallothioneins)" reports Angélica María Ortiz-Bueno, et al in Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, online issue 1559-0291.

Chicken hosts have several advantages, the most interesting of which is the fact that the antibodies are conveniently packaged in the chicken eggs, which can be stored for a long time. Other advantages include the fact that chickens produce 10 to 20 times more chicken egg yolk immunoglobulins (IgY) and are less expensive to maintain than rabbits and, while IgG made from a recombinant protein using a mammalian host takes 6 to 9 month to produce, IgYs only take 3 months. In addition, 300 million years separate chickens from the human evolutionary line in contrast to rabbits and mice with only 60 million years of separation. The result is that chickens generally mount a more vigorous immune response to most human gene products, including highly conserved ones.

Last but not least, the controversial subject of animal rights can be avoided by using chickens rather than mammals because, instead of having to be bled to yield the product, chickens deliver the polyclonal antibodies by simply doing what they do best: laying convenient, long-lasting sealed containers, in other words, eggs.

Best-in-Class Polyclonal Antibody Producers Who Use Chickens Feature:

• Use of in-bred strains which have higher antibodies responses.
• Immunization of birds before they begin to lay because stress of vaccination may adversely affect egg production.
• Birds kept in housing conditions that encourage natural behavior and are protected from contamination.

Top Considerations Before Buying Polyclonal Antibodies Produced by Chickens:

Chicken IgY cannot be used in every situation so research should be done concerning whether IgY is appropriate for your particular line.

Key Producers:

1. Maine Biotechnology Services (MBS) offers complete antibody services, including hybridoma development, polyclonal antibody development, antibody production, purification and post processing. Its MultiPure technology enables customers to assess relative affinity, physical characteristics and matched pair capability before proceeding to subcloning. What sets it apart is its Academic Discovery Track, a scaled-down antibody development which is an affordable alternative for researchers and academics. MBS is continually expanding its product line and services. Recent additions include two antibodies that recognize large, small and branched versions of polyethylene glycol (PEG). This Portland, Maine-based company, founded in 1990, ships products to companies around the United States and in the European Union.

2. AMS Biotechnology (Europe) Ltd (amsbio) provides life science research reagents and services to small and medium-sized manufacturers. Its expanding catalogue contains 285,000 products. amsbio, which was founded in 1987 and restructured in 1997, specializes in Genomics, Proteomics and Immunology. This ISO 9001:2008 registered company offers custom polyclonal and monoclonal development services as well as thousands of protein specific polyclonal primary antibodies and isotype specific secondary antibodies conjugated with enzymatic and fluorescent indicators. Future plans include adding DNA damage screening, Cell Assays, Tumour Xenograft, and primate and rodent services. ambios is able to ship products to companies around the world from its offices in Switzerland, Germany and the UK.

3. United States Biological markets biochemicals, polyclonal antibodies, recombinant proteins, cell culture media and molecular biology kits to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies in the United States and around the world. Customer service and technical support are available worldwide. US Biological markets 150,000+ products, but what sets it apart is its approach to customer helpdesk protocol. President Warren Shore says that, "We believe in answering all inquiries within a few hours of receipt. There is no voice mail at United States Biological...you always get to speak with humans..." Its headquarters are in Swampscott, Massachusetts.

4. Trevigen, Inc. is a privately-held biotechnology company that specializes in cancer research products, with an emphasis on apoptosis, DNA damage and repair and cancer cell function and behavior. This company was founded in 1992 and has a single office in Gaithersburg, Maryland. In 2008, it opened a new division, Trevigen Cell Assays, (TCA)  to offer contract research work to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries as well as government and academic research institutions, specializing in designing and conducting assays for lead compound and genotoxic screening based on DNA damage and repair and cancer cell behavior.

Polyclonal antibodies
Definition: Polyclonal antibodies (pAB) are a combination of immunoglobulin molecules that have been secreted in response to a specific antigen. The antigen is injected into an animal, inducing the B-lymphocytes to produce immunoglobulins specific for the antigen.