Abstract: A method for conjugating an isolated antibody to a label or derivatisation reagent, which method comprises contacting the antibody with an activated label or activated derivatisation reagent, or contacting the antibody with the label or derivatisation reagent in the presence of an antibody conjugation reagent, in a buffer system which comprises a monocarboxylic acid buffer compound other than glycine, bearing an amine substituent at the alpha or beta position.

Abstract: A method of reacting a first chemical entity and a second chemical entity to form a conjugate in which the first and second chemical entities are covalently bound with respect to each other, comprises bringing into simultaneous contact the first chemical entity, the second chemical entity and a thiol generator, wherein the thiol generator reacts with the first chemical entity in a thiolation reaction resulting in formation of a free sulfhydryl group on the first chemical entity, and the free sulfhydryl group reacts with the second chemical entity to form the conjugate, and wherein the second chemical entity is polyvalent with respect to its reactivity with sulfhydryl groups. The present invention primarily differs from the prior art in that no separation step is involved between reaction of the thiol generator and first chemical entity and reaction with the second chemical entity. The invention also provides a conjugation kit.