Method of producing a plurality of isolated antibodies to a plurality of cognate antigens

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for producing high affinity antibodies that are antigen-specific. The method involves binding a plurality of antibody-producing B-cells from a mammal to a plurality of cognate antigens; sorting the bound antibody-producing B-cell and cognate antigen; amplifying nucleic acid sequences encoding each antibody, or fragment thereof, from the B-cells; and expressing the each antibody in a protein expression system. Antibodies produced in this manner are useful in diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

Description

INTRODUCTION [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 608,526 filed Sep. 9, 2005, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Recent developments in antibody engineering and recombinant DNA technology have made it possible to generate recombinant antibodies with high specificity and affinity for theoretically any antigen by employing phage display technology and constructing very large repertoires of antibodies that are displayed on the surface of filamentous phage (Winter et. al., (1994) Ann. Rev. Immunol. 12:433-455). International patent application WO 92 / 18619 describes methods for producing a library of DNA molecules capable of expressing a fusion polypeptide on the surface of a filamentous phage particle (phagemids) and producing heterodimeric receptors such as antibodies, and T-cell receptors. [0003] These large repertoires of naive, immunocompetent, or synthetic antibody fragments are f...

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Problems solved by technology

However, this is a very time-consuming process requiring as much as 6-10 weeks to complete, depending on the complexity of the antigen mixture.

However, the disadvantage of such antibodies is that they are typically naive (i.e., non-immunocompetent) and therefore have a significantly lower binding affinity and are not as efficient or useful for binding experiments.

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