Antibodies that react with many different protein molecular species and non-proteinaceous properties are widely studied in biology and have specific uses, but the precise epitopes recognized are rarely well-defined. Definition of epitopes by X-ray crystallography of antigen-antibody complexes (the gold standard procedure) shows that most antibody epitopes are conformational and specified by interactions with topological determinants on the surface of antigen molecules. The techniques available to define such epitopes are limited. Phage display using gene-specific libraries or random peptide libraries provides a powerful technique for epitope identification. This technique can identify amino acids on protein antigens that are critical for antibody binding and further isolate peptide motifs that act as structural and functional mimotopes of protein and non-protein antigens. We provide phage display techniques for isolating such mimotopes, confirming their specificity, and characterizing peptide epitopes. Furthermore, deriving epitopes or mimotopes from sequences has immediate practical applications, especially in the development of new diagnostic reagents or therapeutic agonist or antagonist molecules.
Epitope determination has become one of the key elements of vaccine and drug development. Epitope mapping is the process of identifying proteins and their corresponding antigen-binding sites. Epitope determination is based on our phage display technology platform that provides comprehensive epitope mapping for high-throughput, high-resolution identification of epitopes and other protein-protein interactions.
The mapping of protein epitopes needs phage display technology. The technique involves four steps: affinity selection of peptides displayed on phage, identification of antibody-specific peptide motifs, structural mapping of motifs on antigens to identify epitopes, and validation of epitopes.
Filamentous phages have been preferentially used as display systems because non-soluble phage vectors such as M13 simplify phage purification. Creative Biolabs also offers display systems for lytic phages, some of which can display larger proteins, >35 kD. These include a display in phage T4, T7, or I. Such systems can expand the phage display applicability, screen tissue- or organism-specific cDNA libraries, and identify RNA-binding and DNA-binding proteins using the error-prone polymerase chain reaction and other applications.
Creative Biolabs can meet the needs of customers by providing epitope determination solutions on time and on budget. We have in-depth knowledge and experience of the tools and processes involved in the phage projects. Our skilled and dedicated scientific researchers ensure that the most suitable methods and techniques are selected for your project. If necessary, please feel free to contact us.
Please kindly note that our services can only be used to support research purposes (Not for clinical use).
Creative Biolabs is a globally recognized phage company. Creative Biolabs is committed to providing researchers with the most reliable service and the most competitive price.
