Immunogen conjugation

Add the solution prepared in step 2 to the protein solution to obtain at least a 10-fold molar excess of small molecule to protein. In the case of the peptide-protein immunogen conjugate, add the 500 pi of peptide solution to the 200 pi of protein solution. 

Since OVA and BSA possess some immunologically similar epitopes, a population of the antibodies produced against one often will cross-react against the other. Therefore, OVA cannot function as a non-relevant carrier for BSA and vice versa. Either OVA or BSA, however, may be used as non-relevant carriers for KLH, thyroglobulin, or the various toxoid proteins used as immunogen conjugates. 

Figure 19.14 Hapten-carrier immunogen conjugates can be formed using homobifunctional NHS ester crosslinkers. The reaction may create large polymeric complexes, some of which could precipitate.

A simple and fast radioimmunoassay for saxitoxin has been developed using an anti-saxitoxinol antibody. The immune serum required for the immunoassay was raised in rabbits using an immunogen conjugate prepared from saxitoxinol and bovine serum albumin... 

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