An isotype control is an antibody that is used as a negative control in antibody staining applications.

Isotype control antibodies have the same immunoglobulin class and subclass as the primary antibody being used in the experiment but lack specificity to the protein of interest.

Chemsis provides a wide range of isotype control covering most of the isotype species and classes, and fluorochromes commercialized. Isotype controls have the same F:P ratio as conjugated antibodies of their respective product line.

Selecting an isotype control

An isotype control should match the primary antibody as closely as possible. Select an isotype control that has the same host species, isotype, and conjugate as your primary antibody.

Applications for isotype controls

Although isotype controls are mainly used in flow cytometry, they can be used as standard blocking agents and protein coating agents for other applications including immunofluorescence, immunocytochemistry, western blotting, and ELISA.