The present invention generally relates to method for preparing a biological sample for use in an immunolabeling process. The invention also relates to corresponding kits for use in the immunolabeling process.

The present invention provides, in part, an antibody display system that simultaneously uses a secretion and a display mode. A bait complexed with a monovalent antibody fragment can be expressed on the surface of the host cell wherein the fragment may be assayed for antigen binding while full antibody is simultaneously secreted from the host cell. Methods of using the system for identifying antibodies that bind specifically to an antigen of interest are also provided. Polypeptides, polynucleotides and host cells useful for making the antibody display system are also provided along with methods of use thereof.

This invention provides, and in certain specific but non-limiting aspects relates to: assays that can be used to predict whether a given ISV will be subject to protein interference as described herein and/or give rise to an (aspecific) signal in such an assay (such as for example in an ADA immunoassay). Such predictive assays could for example be used to test whether a given ISV could have a tendency to give rise to such protein interference and/or such a signal; to select ISV's that are not or less prone to such protein interference or to giving such a signal; as an assay or test that can be used to test whether certain modification(s) to an ISV will (fully or partially) reduce its tendency to give rise to such interference or such a signal; and/or as an assay or test that can be used to guide modification or improvement of an ISV so as to reduce its tendency to give rise to such protein interference or signal; —methods for modifying and/or improving ISV's to as to remove or reduce their tendency to give rise to such protein interference or such a signal; —modifications that can be introduced into an ISV that remove or reduce its tendency to give rise to such protein interference or such a signal; ISV's that have been specifically selected (for example, using the assay(s) described herein) to have no or low(er)/reduced tendency to give rise to such protein interference or such a signal; modified and/or improved ISV's that have no or a low(er)/reduced tendency to give rise to such protein interference or such a signal.

Provided herein are improved methods for diagnosing allergy in a subject using designed ankyrin repeat proteins (“DARPins”), and kits for use in such methods. Also provided herein are novel DARPins and methods of use thereof.

The invention features methods of identifying and validating affinity reagents, such as antibodies. The methods of the invention generally involve screening an antibody library by, for example, phage display on bacteria (e.g., E. coli) to identify particular antibody clones capable of binding a desired target polypeptide. Clones identified in this way can then be validated using yeast 2-hybrid. In some instances, antibodies identified by their capacity to binding a partial antigen can be validated by their capacity to bind to the full-length antigen. Validated clones can be further screened by additional rounds of phage display and/or yeast 2-hybrid. Between each round, additional variants of particular antibody clones can be generated and screened to identify variants that demonstrate higher binding affinity to the target of interest.

[Object] To provide a novel examination method for a cancer treatment effect, screening method for a peptide for a cancer vaccine, and peptide and composition for inducing an immune response against cancer. [Solving Means] Provided are an examination method for a cancer treatment effect and a screening method for a peptide for a cancer vaccine each including detecting an antibody against a cancer/testis antigen or an anti-p53 antibody in a sample. It is suitable that an anti-XAGE1 antibody (IgG and/or IgA) be detected, or an anti-NY-ESO-1 antibody (IgG) be detected. Also provided are a novel peptide and novel composition for inducing immune responses against cancer.

Provided herein are engineered red blood cells expressing rare blood antigen group profiles, and methods of making use the same, are described. Also provided are recombinant reagent red blood cells that express or lack the expression of at least one protein (e.g., a blood group antigen) on its surface and uses thereof.

Provided herein are methods for detecting neutralizing antibodies to leptins, including metreleptin, as well as identifying subjects having such neutralizing antibodies.

The present specification discloses SNAP-25 compositions, methods of making α-SNAP-25 antibodies that bind an epitope comprising a carboxyl-terminus at the P.sub.1 residue from the BoNT/A cleavage site scissile bond from a SNAP-25 cleavage product, α-SNAP-25 antibodies that bind an epitope comprising a carboxyl-terminus at the P.sub.1 residue from the BoNT/A cleavage site scissile bond from a SNAP-25 cleavage product, methods of detecting BoNT/A activity, and methods of detecting neutralizing α-BoNT/A antibodies.

The present disclosure relates to an isolated anti-FcRN antibody, which is an antibody binding to FcRN (stands for neonatal Fc receptor, also called FcRP, FcRB or Brambell receptor) that is a receptor with a high affinity for IgG or a fragment thereof, a method of preparing thereof, a composition for treating autoimmune disease, which comprises the antibody, and a method of treating and diagnosing autoimmune diseases using the antibody. The FcRn-specific antibody according to the present disclosure binds to FcRn non-competitively with IgG to reduce serum pathogenic auto-antibody levels, and thus can be used for the treatment of autoimmune diseases.