Quick run down of what I know:
	Repeated thawing and refreezing will degrade antibodies should be
avoided at all costs. If specimen is frozen thaw and aliquot, before
refreezing.
	Diluted antibodies have a shorter lifespan. I don't use predilutes
and never reuse my own dilutions.
	I have kept antibodies at 4C for years and activity has been
maintained well beyond the expiration date. Always use appropriate
controls!!!!
	Bacterial contamination is bad because they make lots of proteases
that will chew up your antibody in know time at all...add azide.
	Gayle, John, Russ, Patsy and a host of others correct me if I have
erred.

Cynthia Favara 
NIAID/RML/LPVD 
903 South 4th Street 
Hamilton, MT 59840 
PH: 406-363-9317 
FAX: 406-363-9286 

e-mail: CF98d@nih.gov <mailto:CF98d@nih.gov>