Protein Development and Production Unit

A brief history

The International Blood Group Reference Laboratory (IBGRL) was set up in 1946 to centralise production of blood grouping reagents and provide a reference centre for the newly formed National Blood Service (NBS), now called NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT).

In 1982, a monoclonal antibody development laboratory was set up at IBGRL to develop blood grouping and research reagents related to red cells, white cells and platelets.

From April 1990, monoclonal blood grouping reagents were produced internally until 1996 when these antibody producing cell lines were licensed to commercial companies. The other monoclonal cell lines were characterised at various international workshops.

As a result of the successful performance of some of the antibodies, IBGRL undertook a program to develop these cell lines for routine production and supply of antibodies to research workers.

IBGRL Research Products

Since April 1991, the Protein Development and Production Unit (PDPU) have produced a range of monoclonal antibodies and soluble recombinant proteins for immunohaematological research marketed under the name IBGRL Research Products (IRP).

The antibodies cover a range of specificities of interest to researchers in the fields of immunology, haematology, cell biology and biochemistry.

See the range of products and prices available

Most of the monoclonal antibodies are produced for research use but some antibodies and recombinant proteins bear the CE mark or are in the pipeline to be CE marked and are used for diagnostic purposes.

PDPU produce CE marked fluorescently labelled antibodies for diagnosis of Feto-Maternal Haemorrhage (FMH). These CE marked products are produced on behalf of NHSBT Reagents (14 Estuary Banks, L24 8RB), who are the legal manufacturer.

In the pipeline to gain the CE mark, we produce soluble recombinant protein reagent called KNIR; this reagent allows the detection and identification of clinically significant blood group specific antibodies in patient samples by inhibition of 'nuisance' antibodies.

In addition, we have produced srCD38 which inhibits red cell agglutination by therapeutic anti-CD38 monoclonal antibodies (e.g. Daratumumab) in both gel and tube agglutination tests.

IRP monoclonal antibodies are available as culture supernatant, purified antibody and FITC, PE, Biotin, APC, i-Fluor and HRP conjugated antibodies.

PDPU can also:

Custom produce antibodies to your particular specification
Provide other conjugates
Prepare Fab and F(ab)2 fragments

Services

PDPU offer a range cell culture, product and assay development services.

Find out more about the services PDPU offer