FAQ - How should I store my antibody?

Shipping Conditions

All our antibodies and control proteins / peptides are shipped lyophilized (vacuum freeze-dried) and are stable in this form without loss of quality at ambient temperatures for several weeks.

Unlabeled and biotin-labeled antibodies and control proteins should be stored at 4°C before reconstitution. They must not be stored in the freezer when still lyophilized! Temperatures below zero may cause loss of performance.
Fluorescence-labeled antibodies should be reconstituted immediately upon receipt. Long term storage (several months) may lead to aggregation.
Control peptides should be kept at -20°C before reconstitution.

The storage freezer must not be of the frost-free variety ("no-frost freezer"). This cycle between freezing and thawing (to reduce frost-build-up), which is exactly what should be avoided. For the same reason, antibody vials should be placed in an area of the freezer that has minimal temperature fluctuations, for instance towards the back rather than on a door shelf.
Aliquot the antibody and store frozen (-20°C to -80°C). Avoid very small aliquots (below 20 µl) and use the smallest storage vial or tube possible. The smaller the aliquot, the more the stock concentration is affected by evaporation and adsorption of the antibody to the surface of the storage vial or tube. Adsorption of the antibody to the surface leads to a substantial loss of activity.
The addition of glycerol to a final concentration of 50% lowers the freezing point of your stock and keeps your antibody at -20°C in liquid state. This efficiently avoids freeze and thaw cycles.

Ascites and hybridoma supernatant should be stored at -20°C up to -80°C. Prolonged storage at 4°C is not recommended! Unlike serum, ascites may contain proteases that will degrade the antibodies.
Purified IgG should be stored at -20°C up to -80°C. Adding a carrier protein like BSA will increase long term stability. Many of our antibodies already contain carrier proteins. Please refer to the data-sheet for detailed information.

Crude antisera: With anti-microbials added, they may be stored at 4°C. However, frozen storage (-20°C up to -80°C) is preferable.
Affinity purified antibodies: Less robust than antisera. Storage at -20°C up to -80°C is recommended. Adding a carrier protein like BSA will increase long term stability. Most of our antibodies already contain carrier proteins. Please refer to the data-sheet for detailed information.

Store as a liquid with 1 : 1 (v/v) glycerol at -20°C. Protect these antibodies from light exposure.

Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles for all antibodies!