Selection of antibodies against a single rare cell present in a heterogeneous population using phage display

Here we describe a new method applying phage-displayed antibody libraries to the selection of antibodies against a single identified cell on a glass slide. this is the only described method that has successfully achieved selection of antibodies against a single rare cell in a heterogeneous population of cells. the phage library is incubated with the slide containing the identified rare cell of interest; incubation is followed by uV irradiation while protecting the target cell with a minute disc. the uV light inactivates all phages outside the shielded area by cross-linking the Dnaconstituting their genomes. the expected yield is between one and ten phage particles from a single cell selection. the encoded antibodies are subsequently produced monoclonally and tested for specificity. this method can be applied within a week to carry out ten or more individual cell selections. Including subsequent testing of antibody specificity, a specific antibody can be identified within 2 months.