Research Animal Resources provides an antibody production service to U of MN investigators and occasionally other non-university investigators. The goal of this service is to allow investigators to develop custom antibodies without having to perform animal manipulations or submit an animal usage form.
To have RAR develop polyclonal antibodies, the investigator is required to:
1. Call and make arrangements with Polyclonal Antibody coordinator, Diana
Freeman, CVT. Availability of the service is dependent upon staffing.
Please contact Diana Freeman (626-5700) or Angela Craig, DVM (624-5156)
for information regarding antibody production.
2. Confirm your order by completing a Polyclonal Antibody Production (PAP) Form.
3. Submit the antigen and adjuvant to RAR including special requests.
The following guidelines should be of prime consideration when preparing an antigen:
- Minimization of chemical residues and contaminating endotoxins.
- Millipore filtration of the antigen is recommended. Most protein antigens can be filter sterilized through a microporous cellulose acetate filter (0.22µm pore size).
- pH adjusted to within physiological limits.
- Avoid byproducts such as polyacrylamide gel.
- Avoid contamination with chemicals such as SDS, urea, acetic acid, and other potentially toxic agents.
- Special precautions may be necessary if the antigen is a viable microbe.
4. Select one of two Polyclonal Antibody Production (PAP) options.
a. PAP 1: Known antigenicity. The base price for the PAP1 is $1219.91*.
This price includes 2 rabbits or guinea pigs, 80 days of per diem, one
pre-bleed, 4 immunizations, 2 blood draws for sample testing, analgesics,
technician time, and exsanguination. Two animals per antigen are the minimum
unit that RAR will accept, with three animals recommended to account for
biological variations. Additional animals per antigen will be $607.18
each*.
b. PAP 2: Weak or Unknown antigenicity. Must be pre-approved
by a veterinarian. The base price for PAP 2 is $1476.14*. This
price includes 2 rabbits or guinea pigs, 3 months of per diem, one pre-bleed,
4 - 8 immunizations, 2-4 blood draws for sample testing, sedation and
analgesics, technician time, and exsanguinations. Additional animals per
antigen will be $735.31 each*.
5. Completed PAP forms should be faxed, emailed, or sent to:
Angela Craig, DVM
Research Animal Resources (RAR)
University of Minnesota – AHC
MMC 351, 420 Delaware Street SE
Mpls, MN 55455
Fax: 612-625-7632
Email: compmed@umn.edu
Charges for the continuation of polyclonal antibody production beyond the times stated above will be based on services and per diem. Charges may include, but are not limited to, equipment, per diem, drug charges, and technician time.
Animals may be exsanguinated at any time during the process under the PI's direction.
Prices are subject to changes every 3-6 months.
*A 25% price increase will be included for all investigators outside the University
of Minnesota.
