For IP and ChIP experiments, is there any advantage in covalent coupling of the antibody to magnetic beads, over the use of protein G coupled beads? I'm thinking in terms of background noise, specificity, and total capacity.
Hi Caveh, Protein A and G coupled beads are used a lot in IP and ChIP assays because they are easy to use, fast, and gives low non-specific binding. But the antibody is also eluted off in the elution process, if you do not cross-link the antibody the the beads. On the other hand If you covalently couple the antibody to the beads (especially Epoxy-coated Dynabeads), you get ultra-low non-specific binding, and you do not have to cross-link the antibody since it is covalently coupled and will not be eluted off the beads. You can also make a larger batch of conjugated beads and store for a long time. For more info contact me at [email protected]
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