Combinatorial Phage Antibody Libraries

Evolutionary pressure has driven the need for immune systems of considerable complexity and finesse. Indeed, to function efficiently, host immunity must be equal to the diversity and ingenuity of organisms that threaten the well-being of the animal. Antibody-mediated immune defense plays a pivotal role in this process. This article discusses the development and application of combinatorial antibody libraries, an approach to the generation of human monoclonal antibodies that began in the early 1990s and has generated increasing interest, both academic and commercial, ever since. Keywords: Antibody Repertoire; Combinatorial Antibody Library; Panning; Phage Display