DSHB: Innovations in open sharing of antibodies for research

Project Summary/Abstract The Developmental Studies Hybridoma Bank (DSHB) has existed since 1986 as a resource to facilitate the sharing of open-source monoclonal antibodies for research. The central mission of DSHB is four- fold: 1) to maintain and distribute monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and hybridomas shared by the inventing scientists, 2) to provide this service at cost and without regard for commercial popularity, ensuring the availability of rarely used antibodies in smaller fields of research, 3) to provide accurate characterization and validation information on the antibodies and outstanding customer support, and 4) to pursue innovative methods for developing, using, and sharing mAbs. DSHB is an academic unit and has been self-supported by user fees since 1997. Whereas the savings afforded researchers and funding agencies have been substantial, the DSHB's at-cost pricing model has limited funds available for developing new ideas and practices to improve the open-source distribution of mAbs. The recent availability of mAbs from non-rodent hosts (e.g., rabbits), a dramatic increase in the overall number of mAbs (including recombinant antibodies) coupled with the awareness that many are poorly validated, and a flood of information on the use and limitations of these innumerable reagents has opened several opportunities for DSHB to expand and extend our services to these high-priority areas. The aims of this proposal are (1) to better develop new open-source non-rodent hybridoma methodology, (2) to perform antibody validation for large, less well-characterized collections of mAbs to improve model organism research, and (3) to further develop DSHB web-based informatics and expand purified antibody product offerings. We expect these proposed studies will enhance the rigor, reproducibility, and translatability of model animal research by developing technologies, tools, and resources that will enable more effective use of mAbs in animal models across a broad range of research areas.