Johns Hopkins University, Department of Neuroscience

   Overview of Monoclonal Antibody Core Facility  

 

Staining of cultured hippocampal neurons

with AMPA receptor antibodies

 

Our Mission

The Monoclonal Antibody Core Facility (MACF) was founded by the NINDS Core Center Grant. The mission of the MACF is to effectively produce novel monoclonal antibodies that are directed against antigens of interest to NINDS investigators, providing a much- needed resource to the center’s primary investigators as well as other NINDS- funded scientists at JHU SOM.

 

Core Service

Services provided by the Core for a typical project include:

            

 

Immunization of animals

Testing mouse sera for positive response.

Performing cell fusion              

ELISA screening              

Hybridoma cloning and subcloning              

Expansion and cryopreservation of antibody -positive hybridomas

Consultation is available from MACF directors and staff members on peptide design, conjugation strategies and screening assays to ensure efficient detection of the desired monoclonal antibodies.  Other antibody-related services may be available upon request (as time permits).

Application for Service

Prior to the initiation of a project, a brief meeting is generally required between the investigator and MACF facility staff resulting in a mutually acceptable research strategy.  This strategy will outline specifics of the project including antigen preparation, immunization protocols, supernatant screening strategies, and individual responsibilities. In addition, a completed service application form, signed by the principal investigator and approved by the Core Director, will be required. The Core Director will prioritize the service requests according to the difficulty of the project and workload.

 

 

Contact Information

Richard L Huganir, Ph.D., Core Director

rhuganir@jhmi.edu; 410-955-4050  

Alex Kolodkin, Ph.D., Center Director

kolodkin@jhmi.edu; 410-614-9499  

Min Dai, Core Manager

mdai1@jhmi.edu; 410-955-4052

 

 

© 2005 Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine