selma + murine monoclonal antibodies

We base our immunization strategy onto the most efficient danger signals to the mammalian immune system: viruses. By combining efficient surface-related epitopes with a viral particle system originated from the hamster polyomavirus, we are able to perform a hyper-immunization schedule, extraordinarily faster than conventional immunization strategies. In close cooperation with our customers we discuss and plan the immunization strategy and epitope screening. We guarantee a surface-related presentation of the target epitope within the viral backbone. This flexibility provides the advantage of  inducing a highly potent and antigen specific immune response to the native target.

We generated monoclonal antibodies against the outer membrane protein A (ompA) from E.coli. To induce antibody responses which are feasible we deeply analyse epitope and surface structures to find the perfect match for the customer´s application.

picture: ompA structure and E.coli membrane

We take advantage of several unique databases and prediction tools to design perfectly suited antigenic epitope sequences. Finally, we recommend 2-3 epitopes and make a joint decision with our customer.

picture: left: epitope localization on the extracellular domain of the native protein, in yellow: position of the epitope sequence used for immunization, right: epitope position (shown in magenta) in the viral carrier protein

We then generate our chimeric viral carrier proteins expressing the antigenic epitope sequence on the surface of the viral backbone. After a hyper immunization schedule within 4 weeks we are able to induce a highly potent and antigen specific immune response to the inserted epitope sequence but also to the native target.

picture: serum titration on immunized carrier,  immunofluorescence of E.coli cells (in green) and FACS staining of living E.coli cells (right plot) with selected mAb candidates