Rabbit polyclonal antibodies are highly sensitive and can detect a broad range of epitopes, making them especially useful for spotting low-abundance proteins or working with complex samples. Rabbit polyclonal antibodies are commonly used in a wide range of applications including immunohistochemistry (IHC), immunocytochemistry (ICC/IF), western blotting, ELISA and flow cytometry.

Benefits of using rabbit polyclonal antibodies

• High sensitivity: Rabbits have a strong immune response, which typically generates antibodies with higher affinity compared to those produced in other mammals. This makes them ideal for detecting low-abundance proteins and subtle expression changes.
• Broad epitope recognition: Due to their polyclonal nature, these antibodies can recognize multiple epitopes on any one antigen, making them highly effective in detecting proteins that may undergo post-translational modifications.
• Detecting protein family members: These antibodies can sometimes cross-react with other related proteins due to their ability to recognize multiple epitopes, which can be helpful when wanting to detect all family members to a target.
• Range of applications: Each batch is tested to ensure specificity and consistency between lots. This information can be found in our reactivity data table on our product datasheets.
• Highly cited: Rabbit polyclonal antibodies have been commercially available for decades and have many publications to their name. This makes them a great option for scientists looking for an antibody with many different working protocols available.

Limitations of rabbit polyclonal antibodies

• Batch-to-batch variability: Each new batch is derived from the serum of different animals meaning that the exact mix of antibodies may differ, leading to unreproducible results and variability if the new batch is not properly validated.
• High background: Polyclonal antibodies may consist of a mixture of specific and non-specific antibodies. If there are lots of non-specific antibodies present, these will cross-react with other proteins and generate background signal.

Rabbit polyclonal antibodies are highly sensitive and can detect a broad range of epitopes, making them especially useful for spotting low-abundance proteins or working with complex samples. Rabbit polyclonal antibodies are commonly used in a wide range of applications, including immunohistochemistry (IHC), immunocytochemistry (ICC/IF), western blotting, ELISA, and flow cytometry.

 
Benefits of using rabbit polyclonal antibodies 

High sensitivity

Rabbits have a strong immune response, which typically generates antibodies with higher affinity compared to those produced in other mammals. This is ideal for detecting low-abundance proteins and subtle expression changes.

Broad epitope recognition

Due to their polyclonal nature, these antibodies can recognize multiple epitopes on any one antigen, making them highly effective in detecting proteins that may undergo post-translational modifications.

Detecting protein family members

These antibodies can sometimes cross-react with other related proteins due to their ability to recognize multiple epitopes, which can be helpful when wanting to detect all family members to a target.

Range of applications

Each batch is tested to ensure specificity and consistency between lots. This information can be found in our reactivity data table on our product datasheets.

Highly cited

Rabbit polyclonal antibodies have been commercially available for decades and have many publications to their name. This makes them a great option for scientists looking for an antibody with many different working protocols available.

 
Limitations of rabbit polyclonal antibodies

Batch-to-batch variability

Each new batch is derived from the serum of different animals, meaning that the exact mix of antibodies may differ, leading to unreproducible results and variability if the new batch is not properly validated.

High background

Polyclonal antibodies may consist of a mixture of specific and non-specific antibodies. If there are lots of non-specific antibodies present, these will cross-react with other proteins and generate a background signal.