Labome releases Validated Antibody Database (VAD) version 2.2
Posted by han, on 22 March 2016
Developmental biologists use antibodies extensively to study the gene expression during different stages. However, there is a lack of specific antibodies against many proteins related to development. In addition, some antibodies yield unspecific and/or irreproducible results. To help alleviate this antibody quality and specificity problem, Labome sought to organize antibody applications cited in formal publication since 2008 and developed Validated Antibody Database (VAD). The most recent version, 2.2, contains manually curated 143357 entries from 38430 formal articles, covering 35146 antibody products from 110 suppliers. The suppliers include both commercial entities and non-profit organizations such as Developmental Studies Hybridoma Bank (DSHB) at University of Iowa, and Neuromab from University of California at Davis. A small number of antibodies from academic researchers are included as well, if these antibodies are validated in knockout models.
One of the side benefits of our curation effort is the identification of cross-reactive species for many antibodies. Antibodies tend to be developed for human/mouse proteins and tend to be tested by commercial suppliers for their applicability in human or mouse system. Development models often use more readily manipulatable models such as flies, worms, zebrafish, and frogs. Labome is able to obtain information about many antibodies having cross-reactivities with the model organisms from the literature.
The database is freely browsable at www.labome.com. Information about antibody validation using knockout models is also posted at Labome Facebook page www.facebook.com/LabomeNews.
Feedback and suggestions are most welcome. We hope to work with everybody to develop a useful tool.