High-Quality Monoclonal Antibodies Ensure Deeper Insight on Protein Function

Dr. Feng Qian and his team at the University of Maryland aim to uncover the molecular and regulatory mechanisms contributing to polycystic kidney disease (PKD). A major area of focus is understanding the role of the polycystin-1 protein (PC1), which is encoded by the PKD1 gene and linked to most cases of autosomal dominant PKD.

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GenScript's team possesses extensive knowledge and technical proficiency in antibody development, making them an ideal collaborator for creating specialized antibodies targeted at a complex protein like PC1.

- Feng Qian, University of Maryland

Project’s Critical Challenge

The Qian team’s decision to outsource the development of rabbit monoclonal antibodies against Polycystin-1 (PC1) to GenScript was driven by several significant challenges in studying this protein and the critical benefits that GenScript’s services offer.

“Analyzing PC1 has proven challenging due to difficulties in specifically detecting the protein. These challenges arise from its low abundance in mature kidneys, large size, and transmembrane nature, compounded by biochemical complexities due to GPS cleavage.”

Reliable detection of endogenous PC1 continues to present significant challenges in the autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) field and in Qian’s lab. Consequently, there is a pressing need to develop more sensitive and specific antibodies against PC1 to enable more precise studies of PC1 expression and function in both normal and pathological conditions, thereby providing deeper insights into the mechanisms underlying PKD.

“Genscript’s powerful and affordable B-cell technology, highly competent scientists, and helpful support team were the key factors driving us to outsource and the critical benefits of our partnership with GenScript’s services.”