Content area
Abstract
We convened an ad hoc International Working Group for Antibody Validation in order to formulate the best approaches for validating antibodies used in common research applications and to provide guidelines that ensure antibody reproducibility. We recommend five conceptual pillars for antibody validation to be used in an application-specific manner.
Antibodies are among the most frequently used tools in basic science research and in clinical assays. Despite their widespread use, as well as extensive and valuable discourse in the literature16, a comprehensive scientific framework for antibody validation across research applications is lacking. As a result, the quality and consistency of data generated through the use of antibodies vary greatly. This poses an impediment to the rigor and reproducibility that are the cornerstones of the advancement of science.