Isotype controls are essential tools for validating experimental results, particularly in immunoassays like flow cytometry, ELISA, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry. When conducting research, particularly with monoclonal antibodies, it is crucial to distinguish between specific binding and non-specific interactions. This is where isotype controls come into play, and having both mouse and rat isotype controls adds significant value to your experiments.

1. Establishing Baseline Binding: Isotype controls are antibodies of the same species and subclass as the primary antibody being tested, but without specificity for the target. They provide a baseline measurement for the non-specific binding that might occur in an assay. This allows researchers to assess the level of background signal or noise in their experiments, ensuring that the results are due to specific binding rather than non-specific interactions.

2. Controlling for Experimental Variables: When performing immunoassays, various experimental conditions, like sample preparation, tissue type, or the antigen used, can introduce variability. By using isotype controls, researchers can ensure that any observed effect in their experimental data is a true reflection of the antibody's specificity, not an artifact caused by other variables.

3. Validating Data Integrity: Isotype controls are critical for ensuring the integrity of results, especially in assays where high specificity is necessary. Without proper controls, it is impossible to conclude that observed signals or staining are due to the antibody's binding to the target antigen and not some other non-specific binding event.

• Mouse and rat species differ significantly in their immune responses. While both are commonly used in research, they each have unique features that can affect how antibodies perform in an assay. By offering both mouse and rat isotype controls, you ensure that your experiments account for these species-specific differences.

• For example, rat-derived antibodies often generate a stronger immune response, particularly when studying small molecules like hormones, glycans or chemical therapeutics. Mouse-derived antibodies, on the other hand, may be more suitable for different types of assays, especially when working with antibodies from mouse or human sources.

• Many researchers work with both mouse and rat models in their studies, particularly in preclinical research. Offering both mouse and rat isotype controls makes it easier for researchers to conduct experiments across multiple species without having to source separate controls.

• It also allows researchers to standardize their controls across different animal models, ensuring that the results from studies involving both species are comparable and valid.

Rat isotype controls tend to perform better in specific types of experiments, especially when the immune response of small molecules (like haptens) needs to be boosted. The ability to use LO-DNP or IR (rat-LOU derived) isotype controls in conjunction with mouse-derived isotype controls (like MA-DNP) allows researchers to choose the best possible control for their specific experiment and to optimize their antibody panel for higher sensitivity and precision.

• Different assays require different isotype controls depending on the species of origin of the primary antibody. For instance, if a researcher is using mouse monoclonal antibodies for a particular immunoassay, they may choose a mouse isotype control to account for non-specific binding.

• Similarly, if the primary antibody is from rat species (especially in the case of LO-DNP antibodies), then a rat isotype control becomes essential to ensure the highest level of data integrity. Offering both mouse and rat options ensures researchers can use the right isotype control for any species-specific antibody being tested, regardless of the animal model used in the study.

Having access to both mouse and rat isotype controls enhances researchers' ability to confidently interpret their data. By ensuring that non-specific binding is minimized, researchers can attribute any observed effects in their experimental data solely to the specific interactions between their target antigen and the antibody, increasing the overall reliability of the results.

Many in vitro diagnostic (IVD) kits and pharma research platforms require the use of isotype controls for ensuring assay validity. Offering both mouse and rat isotype controls in our portfolio allows our partners to easily incorporate SYnAbs controls into various platforms, from flow cytometry to immunohistochemistry and Western blot, improving the flexibility of your product for a wide range of research applications.

The availability of both mouse and rat isotype controls provides significant added value for researchers in diverse fields, including biomedical research, immunology, diagnostics, and drug discovery. These controls help establish proper baselines, minimize experimental variability, and ensure accurate results across a wide range of assays, ultimately enhancing the reliability and reproducibility of scientific findings. By offering high-performance isotype controls tailored to both mouse and rat models, SYnAbs ensures that researchers have the tools they need to carry out precise, high-quality research.