Phage-Displayed Antibodies to Detect Cell Markers

Immunologic reagents such as antibodies can be valuable for identifying and isolating cells with particular characteristics. While antibodies derived from immunized animals are the most common immunologic reagents used for this purpose, “antibodies” selected by phage display have also proven to be useful. The advantage of this technique is that one can relatively rapidly clone specific antibodies that will be available in unlimited supply. Additionally, phage display may allow for the cloning of antibodies to antigens to which an animal’s immune system would not normally respond due to tolerance. Finally, strategies have been developed to select for some antibodies and deselect for other antibodies using phage display approaches. This can enable investigators to select for antibodies that, for instance, bind to antigens on the surface of one cell type but do not bind to antigens on the surface of another cell type.