Production of polyclonal antisera

Much of modern biology and biochemistry relies on the availability of highly specific antibodies for use in such ubiquitous techniques as immunohistochemistry, ELISAs, immunoprecipitation, and immunoblotting. Thus, the generation of large quantities of specific antibodies directed against proteins or peptides of interest is essential to the success of both basic and applied research programs. In addition, with the advent of antibody-based proteomic strategies for profiling protein expression and post-translational modification, a requirement for timely production of specific antibodies has been exemplified. Polyclonal antibodies derived from animals immunized with purified proteins or peptides are particularly valuable for use in the laboratory. This unit provides protocols for the production of polyclonal antisera specific for protein antigens using rabbits, rats, mice, and hamster