Rapid antibody conjugation technique

­Summary
The current technology is an improved method of antibody conjugation that allows for rapid and scalable antibody labeling, which could be utilized for a number of omics techniques and other antibody-based platforms.

Technology Overview
In order to label and functionalize antibodies, direct or secondary conjugations are typically employed. Current approaches of antibody conjugation, including the use of antibody targeting proteins, have been instrumental in accelerating multi-omics analyses by enabling a large array of biological targets to be labeled and subsequently identified on single samples. However, these approaches have also come with substantial shortcomings, such as: loss of antibody binding specificity (due to non-specific chemical modifications), low or inconsistent recovery yield, uncontrolled stoichiometry, low conjugation efficiency, reaction buffer incompatibilities, and storage buffer incompatibilities.

Researchers at OHSU have developed an efficient, sustainable, reproducible, site-specific antibody covalent labeling method using the integration of both high-affinity single variable domain binders and photo-crosslinking chemistry reactions.

Advantages of the current approach include:

• Controllable positioning of reactive sites, allowing for fast and stoichiometric covalent labeling within 5 minutes, conferring compatibility even with fluorescent probes.
• Label crosslinking specifically at the Fc antibody fragment without any risk of interfering with antigen binding.
• High selectivity, specificity and affinity, allowing for crosslinking with antibodies at a minimal concentration.
• A flexible, stable, and reliable multiple-strategy mechanism for highly multiplexed parallel labeling of many antibody moieties.
• Improved specificity and quantifiable readouts for a variety of omics platforms.
• Compatible with any type of current biologic buffers for commercial antibody storage.
• This novel conjugation strategy facilitates storage in unreacted forms for optimal reagent shelf lives (both target antibodies and custom single variable domain binders).

Licensing Opportunity
This technology is available for licensing.