Antibody nomenclature

[Andrew Wallace]

In article <1996May20.103007.18684 at leeds.ac.uk>, bmbrl at biovax.leeds.ac.uk writes:
> I was wondering if anyone out there knows how best to describe antibodies 
> raised to synthetic peptides.  I know that the general description is 
> site-directed or anti-peptide antibodies but I am trying to come up with a 
> brief description which encapsulates the advantages of using these antibodies. 
> Basically, they are polyclonal antibodies but as they are raised to discrete 
> regions of the protein of interest (in my case approx. 15 residues) they can
>  be considered to recognise a single antigenic determinant. Therefore, I call 
> them "monospecific polyclonal antibodies".  However, somebody has pointed out 
> the possible confusion this generates, as it implies the antibodies recognise 
> an antigen that is present in only a single species of animal (monospecific). 
> Would "monovalent polyclonal antibodies" be a better description??
> Thanks in advance
> Rob
      How about epitope-directed antibodies?
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      Andrew Wallace, Ph.D.
      School of Biology and Biochemistry
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