Immunizing Animals

The traditional method for generating polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies requires the immunization of an animal. Selecting the best species of animal and getting that animal's immune system to respond to a target antigen with an antibody response are essential to obtaining good-quality antibodies and hybridomas. There are only a limited number of opportunities for a researcher to intervene to manipulate and tailor the response to a particular antigen. Here we present advice and methods for designing the way in which the antigen is presented to the immune system (i.e., the immunization protocol), including the choice of animal, the antigen dose, the use of adjuvants, the route and number of injections, and the period between injections.