What are recombinant antibodies?

Recombinant antibodies (rAbs) are monoclonal antibodies that are generated in vitro using synthetic genes. Unlike conventional monoclonal antibodies, production of rAbs does not require the cultivation of hybridomas or immunization of animals. To produce recombinant antibodies, the antibody genes are first cloned into an expression vector, which is transfected into an appropriate host cell line for expression of antibodies. Mammalian cell lines as well as cell lines of yeast, bacterial or insect origin are used for recombinant antibody production. Recombinant antibodies offer a number of advantages over conventional antibodies including higher consistency between batches, increased sensitivity, ease of scalability, decreased production time, and continuity of supply.