Abstract: The invention provides a method for identifying positions of an antibody that can be modified without significantly reducing the binding activity of the antibody. In many embodiments, the method involves identifying a substitutable position in a parent antibody by comparing its amino acid sequence to the amino acid sequences of a number of related antibodies that each bind to the same antigen as the parent antibody. The amino acid at the substitutable position may be substituted for a different amino acid without significantly affecting the activity of the antibody. The subject methods may be employed to change the amino acid sequence of a CDR without significantly reducing the affinity of the antibody of the antibody, in humanization methods, or in other antibody engineering methods. The invention finds use in a variety of therapeutic, diagnostic and research applications.

Abstract: The invention provides a rabbit-derived immortal B-lymphocyte capable of fusion with a rabbit splenocyte to produce a hybrid cell that produces an antibody. The immortal B-lymphocyte does not detectably express endogenous immunoglobulin heavy chain and may contain, in certain embodiments, an altered immunoglobulin heavy chain-encoding gene. A hybridoma resulting from fusion between the subject immortal B-lymphocyte and a rabbit antibody-producing cell is provided, as is a method of using that hybridoma to produce an antibody. The subject invention finds use in a variety of different diagnostic, therapeutic and research applications.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, the method may comprise: a) obtaining the antibody sequences from a population of B cells; b) grouping the antibody sequences to provide a plurality of groups of lineage-related antibodies; c) testing a single antibody from each of the groups in a bioassay and, after the first antibody has been identified, d) testing further antibodies that are in the same group as the first antibody in a second bioassay. In another embodiment, the method may comprise: a) testing a plurality of antibodies obtained from a first portion of an antibody producing organ of an animal; b) obtaining the sequence of a first identified antibody; c) obtaining from a second portion of said antibody producing organ the sequences of further antibodies that are related by lineage to said first antibody; and, c) testing the further antibodies in a second bioassay.

Abstract: The invention provides monoclonal antibodies that neutralize TNF? activity. The monoclonal antibodies may be rabbit monoclonal antibodies or monoclonal antibodies having CDR regions derived from those rabbit monoclonal antibodies. In certain embodiments, the monoclonal antibodies may be humanized. Methods of using the subject antibodies to inhibit TNF? activity, methods of treatment using those antibodies and kits containing the same are also provided. The invention finds use in a variety of research and medical applications.

Abstract: An antibody is provided. In certain cases, the antibody comprises: a) a heavy chain variable domain that comprises CDR regions that are substantially identical to the heavy chain CDR regions of a selected antibody and b) a light chain variable domain that comprises CDR regions that are substantially identical to the light chain CDR regions of the selected antibody, where the antibody binds a selected target.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of identifying an antigen that is present in different amounts in two different samples. In general, the methods involve generating a first and second distinguishably labeled population of antibodies that reactive to the two samples, contacting the first and second labeled populations of antibodies with a plurality of antigens; and identifying any resultant antigens that are differentially bound by the first and second populations of antibodies. The antigens may be on the surface of cells e.g., animal cells, or on a solid support. Once identified, the nucleic acid encoding an antigen of interest may be identified and sequenced to reveal the identity of the antigen of interest. Kits for performing the methods are also provided. The methods find most use in medical and research applications, in particular, for identifying cell surface targets for immunotherapy and drug discovery.

Abstract: The invention provides a rabbit-derived immortal B-lymphocyte capable of fusion with a rabbit splenocyte to produce a hybrid cell that produces an antibody. The immortal B-lymphocyte does not detectably express endogenous immunoglobulin heavy chain and may contain, in certain embodiments, an altered immunoglobulin heavy chain-encoding gene. A hybridoma resulting from fusion between the subject immortal B-lymphocyte and a rabbit antibody-producing cell is provided, as is a method of using that hybridoma to produce an antibody. The subject invention finds use in a variety of different diagnostic, therapeutic and research applications.

Abstract: The invention provides monoclonal antibodies that neutralize TNF? activity. The monoclonal antibodies may be rabbit monoclonal antibodies or monoclonal antibodies having CDR regions derived from those rabbit monoclonal antibodies. In certain embodiments, the monoclonal antibodies may be humanized. Methods of using the subject antibodies to inhibit TNF? activity, methods of treatment using those antibodies and kits containing the same are also provided. The invention finds use in a variety of research and medical applications.

Abstract: An antibody is provided. In certain cases, the antibody comprises: a) a heavy chain variable domain that comprises CDR regions that are substantially identical to the heavy chain CDR regions of a selected antibody and b) a light chain variable domain that comprises CDR regions that are substantially identical to the light chain CDR regions of the selected antibody, where the antibody binds a selected target.

Abstract: An antibody is provided. In certain cases, the antibody comprises: a) a heavy chain variable domain that comprises CDR regions that are substantially identical to the heavy chain CDR regions of a selected antibody and b) a light chain variable domain that comprises CDR regions that are substantially identical to the light chain CDR regions of the selected antibody, where the antibody binds a selected target.

Abstract: The invention provides a rabbit-derived immortal B-lymphocyte capable of fusion with a rabbit splenocyte to produce a hybrid cell that produces an antibody. The immortal B-lymphocyte does not detectably express endogenous immunoglobulin heavy chain and may contain, in certain embodiments, an altered immunoglobulin heavy chain-encoding gene. A hybridoma resulting from fusion between the subject immortal B-lymphocyte and a rabbit antibody-producing cell is provided, as is a method of using that hybridoma to produce an antibody. The subject invention finds use in a variety of different diagnostic, therapeutic and research applications.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for fusing a first cell with a second cell to form a hybrid cell. The methods involve incubating a first parental cell producing a first partner of a fusogenic binding partner pair on its surface with a second parental cell producing a second partner of the fusogenic binding partner pair on its surface. In certain embodiments, the parental cells are incubated with a known fusogen such as polyethylene glycol and the fusogenic binding partner pair increases the rate of cell fusion. In many embodiments, the first cell is an antibody producing cell, the second cell is an immortal cell, and the hybrid cell is a hybridoma cell that produces a monoclonal antibody. Also provided by the invention are methods for producing hybridoma cells, and methods for screening those cells for production of a monoclonal antibody of interest. The invention further provides systems and kits for carrying out the subject methods.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for identifying positions of an antibody that can be modified without significantly reducing the binding activity of the antibody. In many embodiments, the method involves identifying a substitutable position in a parent antibody by comparing its amino acid sequence to the amino acid sequences of a number of related antibodies that each bind to the same antigen as the parent antibody. The amino acid at the substitutable position may be substituted for a different amino acid without significantly affecting the activity of the antibody. The subject methods may be employed to change the amino acid sequence of a CDR without significantly reducing the affinity of the antibody of the antibody, in humanization methods, or in other antibody engineering methods. The invention finds use in a variety of therapeutic, diagnostic and research applications.

Abstract: The invention provides monoclonal antibodies that neutralize TNF? activity. The monoclonal antibodies may be rabbit monoclonal antibodies or monoclonal antibodies having CDR regions derived from those rabbit monoclonal antibodies. In certain embodiments, the monoclonal antibodies may be humanized. Methods of using the subject antibodies to inhibit TNF? activity, methods of treatment using those antibodies and kits containing the same are also provided. The invention finds use in a variety of research and medical applications.

Abstract: The invention provides a rabbit-derived immortal B-lymphocyte capable of fusion with a rabbit splenocyte to produce a hybrid cell that produces an antibody. The immortal B-lymphocyte does not detectably express endogenous immunoglobulin heavy chain and may contain, in certain embodiments, an altered immunoglobulin heavy chain-encoding gene. A hybridoma resulting from fusion between the subject immortal B-lymphocyte and a rabbit antibody-producing cell is provided, as is a method of using that hybridoma to produce an antibody. The subject invention finds use in a variety of different diagnostic, therapeutic and research applications.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for fusing a first cell with a second cell to form a hybrid cell. The methods involve incubating a first parental cell producing a first partner of a fusogenic binding partner pair on its surface with a second parental cell producing a second partner of the fusogenic binding partner pair on its surface. In certain embodiments, the parental cells are incubated with a known fusogen such as polyethylene glycol and the fusogenic binding partner pair increases the rate of cell fusion. In many embodiments, the first cell is an antibody producing cell, the second cell is an immortal cell, and the hybrid cell is a hybridoma cell that produces a monoclonal antibody. Also provided by the invention are methods for producing hybridoma cells, and methods for screening those cells for production of a monoclonal antibody of interest. The invention further provides systems and kits for carrying out the subject methods.