MISSION

The AIIC-Immunoreagent Component consists of a hybridoma and phage display laboratories.  In addition to supplying traditional hybridoma services, the lab provides UAB investigators with novel approaches for monoclonal antibody (mAb) development as well as expertise in immunoassay design, epitope characterzation, and phage display technology.  The Core produces and distributes a variety of frequently utilized monoclonal reagents (i.e., anti-tag reagent, anti-mouse, or human CD antigens) at highly economical prices.

 SERVICES

Hybridoma Laboratory

Services provided by the Hybridoma lab include: procurement and housing of pathogen-free rodents, design and evaluation of peptide antigens, immunization, sera testing, performance and screening of fusions, single cell cloning, isotyping, large-scale monoclonal antibody (mAb) production and purification.  Proteins, peptides, whole cells, acrylamide gel slices or blotted nitrocellulose strips may be employed as immunizing antigens.  The typical time frame for a successful fusion project (from acquisition of immunizing antigen to large-scale mab production) is approximately three months.  The Core maintains a substantial inventory of commonly requested hybridoma lines acquired from either ATCC or individual investigators.

Phage Display Laboratory

The Phage Display (PD) laboratory utilizes two human sFvs-expressing phage libraries, containing 109 random combinations of light and heavy variable genes, to produce antigen specific sFvs. The services of the PD unit include library screening, large-scale production and purification of sFvs and technical assistance in the design and performance of assays utilizing sFvs.The inclusion of antibody phage display technology has enhanced the Core's ability to produce specific monoclonal reagents to highly conserved, poorly immunogenic or chemically modified molecular targets.

EDUCATION AND OUTREACH

IDEA sessions

While providing resources via specialized instrumentation and expertise are critical functions of a research core, of even greater importance are the intellectual scientific interactions that take place between core personnel and RDCC & CAMAC investigators wherein there is an active exchange of information relating to the biological processes under study.  In addition to individual meetings, the AIIC offers more formal “brainstorming” sessions called Individualized Design of Experiments & Analyses Session (IDEAs).  On a bi-weekly basis, the Director and Co-Directors will meet with individual AIIC  users and their staff to review research projects in detail by examining primary data and experimental designs, and provide advice on future courses of action.  Importantly, the IDEAs meetings provide investigators the opportunity to obtain feedback on a regular basis from 3 investigators highly experienced in hybridoma development, use, troubleshooting and advance imaging technologies.

Events

Additionally, the AIIC  frequently sponsors on-campus seminars, lectures and workshops describing  hybridoma methodologies and development. 

USEFUL LINKS

ATCC 

FEE SCHEDULE

Please contact Dr. Accavitti-Loper or Ms. Fran Allen for current pricing.

CONTACT