Guidelines for storing fluorophore-conjugated antibodies

Mario Roederer's website provides guidelines on storing of fluorophore-conjugated antibodies (and the reagents used in their production.). The basic points to remember from Mario's site are:

  1. Unlabeled mAbs can be stored at either 4° C or frozen and stored at -80 °C.
  2. Fluorophore-conjugated antibodies should be stored at 4 °C and should never be frozen.
  3. All protein solutions, including antibodies, should be stored at total protein concentrations ≥ 1 mg/ml.
  4. "If the concentration of the conjugate is less than 1 mg/ml protein, or if it is to be diluted for storage at a convenient titre, then it should be stored in a buffer containing protein." Antibodies can be diluted in a solution of 0.1% gelatin in "Storage Buffer"; sterile 2% gelatin solutions can be obtained from Sigma. Alternatively, antibodies can be stored in solutions of 1-2% protease-free BSA.
  5. A preservative, such as sodium azide, pentachlorophenol, or thimerosal, should be added to prevent microbial growth.