Abstract: Provided herein, inter alia, is a method for producing an enriched population of antigen-specific plasma cells. In some embodiments, the method may comprise: (a) obtaining a sample of cells from an animal that has been immunized by an antigen, wherein the sample comprises B cells; (b) enriching for a population of antigen-specific B cells that comprise cell surface antibodies that are specific for the antigen by: i. contacting at least 105 of the cells in said sample, en masse, with the antigen or a portion thereof; and ii. isolating cells that bind to the antigen or portion thereof; and (c) activating the enriched B cells, en masse, in the presence of the antigen or portion thereof, to produce the enriched population of antigen-specific plasma cells.

Abstract: Provided herein, inter alia, is a method for producing an enriched population of antigen-specific plasma cells. In some embodiments, the method may comprise: (a) obtaining a sample of cells from an animal that has been immunized by an antigen, wherein the sample comprises B cells; (b) enriching for a population of antigen-specific B cells that comprise cell surface antibodies that are specific for the antigen by: i. contacting at least 105 of the cells in said sample, en masse, with the antigen or a portion thereof; and ii. isolating cells that bind to the antigen or portion thereof; and (c) activating the enriched B cells, en masse, in the presence of the antigen or portion thereof, to produce the enriched population of antigen-specific plasma cells.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, the method may comprises: a) contacting a population of permeabilized, cross-linked antibody-producing cells with a labeled antigen to produce a labeled sample in which cells that produce an antibody that specifically binds to said antigen are intracellularly labeled; b) using FACS to isolate cells that are intracellularly labeled, thereby producing labeled cells; c) uncrosslinking said labeled cells to produce uncrosslinked cells; and d) amplifying heavy and light chain-encoding nucleic acid from individual uncrosslinked cells, thereby obtaining nucleic acid that encodes the variable domain of antibody that specifically binds to said antigen.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, the method may comprises: a) contacting a population of permeabilized, cross-linked antibody-producing cells with a labeled antigen to produce a labeled sample in which cells that produce an antibody that specifically binds to said antigen are intracellularly labeled; b) using FACS to isolate cells that are intracellularly labeled, thereby producing labeled cells; c) uncrosslinking said labeled cells to produce uncrosslinked cells; and d) amplifying heavy and light chain-encoding nucleic acid from individual uncrosslinked cells, thereby obtaining nucleic acid that encodes the variable domain of antibody that specifically binds to said antigen.