Overlooked benefits of using polyclonal antibodies

Abstract

The benefi ts of polyclonal antibodies as tools for assay-specifi c target discovery and detection are numerous. As the future of basic research, diagnostics and biomarker discovery is dependent on high-quality reproducible data, there is a need to understand the importance and benefi ts of these valuable tools. All antibody forms - polyclonal, hybridoma-based monoclonal and recombinant monoclonal - have pros and cons for development, validation and use. Yet, polyclonal antibodies are embroiled in a fi restorm of controversy concerning data reproducibility. We address best practices for developing and using polyclonal antibodies, pitfalls to their use and how to avoid them, and benefi ts to the life science community. Eliminating their use risks overlooking the unique benefi ts of polyclonal antibodies as 'fi t-for-purpose' life science tools.