How are monoclonal antibodies advancing modern research?

Perspectives

How are monoclonal antibodies advancing modern research?

Monoclonal antibodies play a crucial role in modern biomedical research, providing researchers with fundamental tools in cellular pathology, neurobiology, oncology, and gastric biomarker studies. These laboratory-produced antibodies offer reliable precision in detecting and analysing specific proteins, which makes them indispensable for cutting-edge research and diagnostic development.

In this article, we explore what makes monoclonal antibodies essential research tools. We examine the quality markers and showcase Biohit’s portfolio, which is designed to accelerate research projects in cellular pathology, neurobiology, and gastric biomarker analysis.

“Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) are immune molecules created in laboratories to recognise and bind to particular proteins and other antigens, enabling scientists to identify specific targets and investigate how diseases develop and progress.”

Summary: key benefits of Biohit’s monoclonal antibodies in research

• Exceptional specificity and reproducibility – Single epitope targeting ensures consistent results across experiments and research sites.
• Versatile applications – Compatible with immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, enzyme immunoassays, time-resolved fluorescence immunoassays, and immunoprecipitation.
• Biohit’s comprehensive portfolio – Eight specialised categories covering cellular pathology, neurobiology, and oncology research needs.
• Quality assurance – IgG1 and IgG2a subclass antibodies with rigorous purification and validation for research.
• Flexible solutions – Custom concentrations and buffer systems available upon request.

Understanding monoclonal antibodies: quality markers for research precision

Monoclonal antibodies are identical molecules derived from a single B cell clone, designed to recognise a single specific antigen. Unlike polyclonal antibodies, which interact with multiple epitopes on the same antigen, monoclonal antibodies bind to just one defined epitope. This targeted approach improves the reliability and consistency of results across different experimental applications such as immunohistochemistry, western blotting, enzyme immunoassays, time-resolved fluorescence immunoassays, and immunoprecipitation.

Monoclonal antibodies are required to meet specific performance criteria:

• Specificity ensures the antibody recognises only its intended target, minimising cross-reactivity and false-positive results.
• Sensitivity determines the antibody’s ability to detect low-abundance antigens in complex biological samples.
• Stability guarantees consistent performance across storage conditions and experimental timeframes.
• Purity eliminates contaminating proteins that could interfere with assay performance.

Biohit manufactures monoclonal antibodies using established hybridoma technology in mice. Our production includes a thorough purification processes to ensure reliable performance across multiple research applications.

“Advantages of monoclonal antibodies include exceptional specificity, batch- to-batch consistency, and unlimited supply once established.”

The versatility of monoclonal antibodies makes them suitable for various research methodologies.

In immunohistochemistry, they provide precise tissue localisation of target proteins.
• Western blotting applications benefit from their ability to detect specific protein bands without interference.
• Enzyme immunoassays utilise their consistent binding characteristics for quantitative measurements.
• Fluorescence immunoassays (FIA) and immunoprecipitation techniques further expand their research applications.

Many Biohit antibodies perform with paraffin-embedded sections, though compatibility varies by individual antibody. This expands their utility in histopathological research.

Extensive monoclonal antibody portfolio for specialised categories

Biohit offers an extensive range of research use only (RUO) monoclonal antibodies organised into eight distinct categories, each addressing specific cellular and molecular biology research needs.

“Biohit’s monoclonal antibodies serve as powerful research instruments for cellular pathology, neurobiology, oncology studies, and gastric biomarker analysis.”

Human extracellular matrix components. The extracellular matrix (ECM) is made up of interstitial connective tissue and the basement membrane, forming a structural framework that supports surrounding cells and serves as a physical barrier. Beyond its mechanical role, the ECM actively regulates key cellular processes, including proliferation, differentiation, adhesion, migration, gene expression, and the maintenance of tissue architecture. In addition, the ECM is crucial in the body’s response to injury and tissue repair. Monitoring ECM components in different tissues can provide valuable insights into pathological changes such as tumour progression, invasion, and metastasis. Biohit offers monoclonal antibodies targeting key ECM proteins: fibronectin, tenascin, laminin, and vitronectin.

Human neurotransmitter substances target molecules that nerve cells use for communication. Neural and neuroendocrine cells produce various peptides and amino acids that stimulate or inhibit nerve signal transmission. Biohit offers monoclonal antibodies to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP).

Human gastric biomarkers represent Biohit’s core expertise area.

Biohit’s Gastrin-17 antibodies specifically bind to amidated gastrin-17 in gastric antral mucosa, enabling immunohistochemical detection of gastrin- secreting cells.

Human spectrins provide specific markers for erythroid differentiation and, as a result, enable more reliable identification than traditional markers. Both erythroid α-spectrin and β-spectrin antibodies are more dependable than Glycophorin A because they avoid cross-reactivity with megacaryotic cell lines. This is why they are valuable in identifying erythroid leukaemia.

Read more about human spectrins

Human cytoskeletal polypeptides include antibodies that target the proteins forming cell structure: α-actinin, α-fodrin, vinculin, different cytokeratins (18; 8,18,19; 7,17,19), vimentin, and neurofilaments (150,200; 70,200). These antibodies help researchers identify cell types and study how cells are organised. Different cell types show unique protein patterns, which can help determine where tumours originated.

Human endothelial cell surface marker antibodies target cells that line blood vessels. The endothelium forms a thin cellular layer on the interior surface of blood vessels, creating an interface between circulating blood and vessel walls. Biohit’s PECAM-1 antibody recognises the platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule, which is found on both endothelial cells and certain blood cells. PECAM-1 is widely present in white blood cells and functions as a cell adhesion molecule, making it valuable for vascular biology and blood vessel formation research.

Human integrins antibodies target cell surface receptors that control how cells attach to their surroundings and each other. Integrins are the most prominent known family of receptors for ECM proteins. These glycoproteins consist of protein subfamilies with a common β-subunit and a distinct α- subunit. Biohit produces β1-integrin, β3-integrin, and αIIb-integrin antibodies for research use.

Read more about human integrins

Phytoestrogen antibodies, specifically our Genistein antibody, support research into plant estrogens and their biological effects. Genistein is an isoflavone belonging to the phytoestrogen group, which has been implicated in cancer and cardiovascular disease prevention. Soybeans and soy foods serve as the primary dietary sources.

How do advanced monoclonal antibodies support research progress?

Monoclonal antibodies work across diverse research applications, from basic cellular studies to translational research programmes. Performance in academic institutions and biotechnology companies demonstrates their suitability for both fundamental research and diagnostic development.

Biohit’s antibodies offer consistency that is essential for longitudinal studies and multi-site collaborations for research groups. Their specificity helps reduce experimental variability, while the high image quality meets publication standards. For biotechnology companies and diagnostic manufacturers, Biohit antibodies serve as robust raw materials for assay development and kit production.

Each antibody is accompanied by detailed quality documentation, making it suitable for regulatory processes. In addition, extensive validation across multiple applications allows researchers to adopt the antibodies to meet the needs of their experiments.

See more information about Biohit’s products: monoclonal antibodies and references (PDF).

Partner with Biohit for your research success

Biohit provides expert guidance on antibody selection, experiment design, and troubleshooting. Custom concentrations, buffer systems, conjugation processes and packaging options are available for projects of any scale. We offer biotech and diagnostics companies reliable supply and regulatory documentation support.

Contact our experts to discuss how Biohit’s monoclonal antibodies can support your research objectives.