The Antibody Characterization Laboratory is a reference program that develops antibodies for the scientific community, including extensive antibody characterization data and protocols.
The laboratory uses an array of techniques to determine the properties of antibodies and other renewable reagents that can be used in cancer-related research. All the reagents, associated data, and standard operating procedures are readily available as part of the National Cancer Institute’s Antibody Portal.
Antibody validation: A community resource
The data we generate is designed to help researchers select the optimal antibodies for their experiments. They have access to our methods to perform quality-control studies or biological assays.
Access the Antibody Portal
Access NCI-60 cell lines
Our scientists subject each antibody to informative assays and techniques that collectively reveal a comprehensive picture of its characteristics. We provide our approaches, standardized methods, and the complete characterization data (both positive and negative results). Our ready access to the NCI-60 human cancer cell lines makes our program a distinct, if not unique, resource.
Immunization process for call-out antibodies
Initial screenings identify potential candidates, further validated in the technique of interest (immunohistochemistry, immunoprecipitation flow cytometry, and other assays). The selected purified antibody is tested, with particular attention to endogenous detection, using Western blotting applications (cell or tissue lysates) and cell-based applications. We collaborate with investigators from both internal (National Institutes of Health) and external institutions (academia).
Our capabilities and specializations
Characterization process and pipeline
Our scientists produce up to three affinity reagents for each expressed and purified antigen, and one affinity reagent per peptide. We characterize selected reagents using specialized processes.
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Western blot (including automated Western and single-cell Western)
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Surface plasmon resonance
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Bio-Layer Interferometry
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ELISA
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Mass spectrometry immunoassay
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Immunohistochemistry
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NCI-60 Protein Array
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Immunofluorescence
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Flow Cytometry
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Immunoprecipitation
