Over the years, I have stored the great majority of my antibodies at 4
degrees C. for years (in some cases >10 years) with little or no loss in
activity.  I have antibodies that I obtained  back in the 80's that work
as well now as they did back then.  There are some antibodies that I
have frozen in small aliquots (10-50 microliters) because we have so
much of it or the original antibody was supplied in lyophilized form
and, in my experience, those antibodies do not hold up well at 4 degrees
C.  I think the decision to freeze or not to freeze will depend on
several criteria including:

1.  original form (ascites/neat vs. lyophilized),
2.  titer (1:10 vs. 1:100,000),
3.  original volume of antibody (100 microliters vs. 5.0 mL), and
3.  how often are you going to use the antibody?

R. Cartun

>>> "Van Eyck, Deb"  05/03/02 06:49PM >>>
	
  Here's an immuno question for everyone doing long term storage of
concentrated antibodies???  What method have you found to work best? 
We are
doing more concentrates, and I have small cryo-vials and a -70 freezer.
Most
directions state freeze in volume needed at later date.  Do you just
take
off that dilution amount of concentrated antibody needed to make your
final
and freeze that (seems like almost too tiny an amount) then thaw and
rinse
out the vial with the correct amount of diluent---does this work or is
it
less than scientific?? Or do you make up your antibody in diluent and
freeze
the whole shabang???  Please share your time proven methods?   Also
any
input on saving already cut sections of controls in the freezer?  Which
ones
do you find this helpful for?  Thanks very much!