Our rabbit recombinant monoclonal antibodies are widely recognized for their high specificity and sensitivity. However, certain experimental conditions, especially those involving multiplexing, demand antibodies derived from various species, such as mouse, human, rat, or chicken. To meet the needs of your experiments, we’ve developed a range of chimeric antibodies.

Chimeric antibodies combine the binding regions (variable domain) from the parent rabbit recombinant monoclonal antibody with the constant region from a different species. This innovative approach preserves the high performance and binding properties of the original recombinant monoclonal antibody while introducing a diverse range of species backbones. We've developed over 300 chimeric antibodies derived from our rabbit monoclonals, with the new antibodies on mouse, rat, chicken and goat antibody backbones.

What are chimeric antibodies?

Chimeric antibodies are produced by combining the antigen binding region (variable domain) from the parent antibody with the constant region from a different species. For example, a rabbit monoclonal antibody can be converted to a mouse monoclonal or chicken monoclonal antibody. This conversion process does not affect the antigen binding characteristics of the chimeric antibody, so the new version of the antibody can be used with the same experimental conditions, such as antigen retrieval, as the original antibody.

The process to convert an antibody to a chimeric antibody can only be performed on recombinant antibodies where the antibody producing gene has been cloned and the sequence is known.

The new chimeric antibody maintains the same clone number.

What are the advantages of chimeric antibodies?

The main advantage of chimeric antibodies is seen when performing multicolor imaging to stain for several different proteins at the same time.

Multicolor imaging is typically done using fluorescently labeled secondary antibodies, which means that the primary antibodies used must have distinct backbones, and ideally be raised in different species, so that it is possible for the differently labeled secondary antibodies to specifically bind to them.

As most antibodies are raised in either mouse or rabbit, it can often be the case that the preferred antibodies for two different proteins are raised in the same species, making it impossible to use them together in multi-color imaging. Whilst, it can sometimes be that the antibodies have different IgG isotypes, and isotype specific antibodies are available, this makes higher levels of background staining more likely.

Chimeric antibodies help eliminate the need for compromise by allowing the same high-performing antibody to be used with multiple different species backbones. For example, the same clone can be used with a rabbit, mouse and chicken backbone, depending on which other antibodies it will be used alongside.

In addition, when working across multiple model species, where using an antibody used in a particular species might cause high background, such as when using a mouse antibody on mouse tissue, using a chimeric version of that antibody with a different species backbone can increase flexibility.

Our chimeric antibodies have the same clone number as the parent rabbit antibody and can be identified by the word “chimeric” in the product name. The table below displays a selection of just some of our chimeric antibodies.

Chimeric antibodies are powerful tools for multiplex imaging techniques, spatial proteomics, and any experimental setup requiring multiple primary antibodies.

For example, when visualizing multiple target proteins within a single image using primary antibodies alongside fluorescently labeled secondary antibodies, the primary antibodies must have distinct host species backbones to enable species-specific secondary antibody detection. In such cases, combining antibodies in a single experiment can force you to compromise when selecting reagents to ensure compatibility.

Chimeric antibodies help eliminate the need for compromise by allowing the same high-performing antibody to be used in various combinations. This enhanced experimental flexibility saves you time and costs by reducing the need for additional antibody purchases and validations. Using the same antibody will also help to ensure consistency and continuity between experiments.

Chimeric antibodies also facilitate the seamless transition between different animal model systems, allowing you to use the same antibody across various models. This ensures reagent consistency, enhances experimental comparability, and supports reliable data interpretation throughout your project's lifecycle.

Many of these chimeric antibodies are also available in carrier-free formulations, allowing for enhanced experimental flexibility and easy conjugation using our Lightning-Link^®kits. Directly conjugated versions are also available to help streamline workflows and improve efficiency.

Chimeric antibodies should always be used in conjunction with Fc-specific pre-adsorbed secondary antibodies to ensure there is no cross-reaction of anti-rabbit secondaries detecting the chimeric antibodies, which would give false positive results.