KLH, BSA, and OVA conjugation for immunogen preparation and assay development.
Peptide–carrier protein conjugation is a specialized form of peptide–protein conjugation in which a synthetic peptide epitope is covalently linked to an immunogenic carrier protein (commonly KLH, BSA, or OVA). These conjugates are used as immunogens for antibody generation and as antigen reagents for screening and assay development.
Bio-Synthesis provides custom peptide–carrier protein conjugation services with controlled attachment strategies selected for your peptide design and intended downstream workflow (immunization vs screening/assay use). We can help plan attachment orientation, handle placement, and practical loading targets, followed by purification and documentation aligned to your program stage.
Related services: Peptide Modifications, Click Chemistry Peptides, Protein & Enzyme Conjugation.
Most antibody programs use two related conjugates: an immunogen to raise antibodies and a separate screening/assay antigen to confirm binding is peptide-specific (not carrier-specific).
Goal: strong immune response to a short peptide epitope.
Goal: clean assay signal with lower anti-carrier background risk.
Practical tip: a frequent pairing is KLH–peptide for immunization and BSA–peptide or OVA–peptide for screening, which helps reduce false positives driven by anti-carrier antibodies.
Carrier selection is driven by your goal (immunization vs screening/assay antigen), peptide properties, and the need to minimize anti-carrier background in downstream assays. A common best practice is to immunize with one carrier (e.g., KLH) and screen with a different carrier (e.g., BSA or OVA).
If you’re unsure which carrier is best, send your peptide sequence, intended host species, and assay format—we’ll recommend a practical pairing strategy (immunization vs screening) and an attachment approach.
Short peptides can be weakly immunogenic on their own. Coupling to a carrier protein (or presenting multiple epitope copies on a MAP scaffold) increases effective size and context, which supports immune recognition while keeping a defined peptide epitope sequence.
A common choice when the peptide includes a single terminal cysteine for oriented coupling.
Used when peptides lack thiols or when broad coupling is acceptable for immunogens.
Chemoselective coupling when you want clean attachment with defined handles.
Carrier proteins increase the effective size and immunogenic context of short peptides to support antibody generation workflows. Conjugation chemistry is chosen to balance peptide presentation, loading, solubility, and reproducible characterization. See also: click-ready handles and peptide modifications for handle planning.
For immunogens, adding a terminal cysteine (if not present) is a common approach to control attachment orientation; final choice depends on epitope placement and assay goals.
For broader bioconjugation needs, see protein & enzyme conjugation and peptide modification options.
Peptide loading (substitution) and conjugate profile are chemistry- and carrier-dependent. We align a practical, fit-for-purpose characterization plan to your intended use (immunization vs screening), which may include conjugate profiling methods and documentation appropriate to your program stage.
Bio-Synthesis offers a broad portfolio of peptide and biomolecule conjugation services. If your program extends beyond carrier protein immunogens, the following related services may be relevant.
These services share common strengths in site-defined chemistry, purification, and analytical documentation aligned to research, preclinical, and translational programs.
Bio-Synthesis is committed to Total Quality Management (TQM) to assure customer satisfaction. Analytical checks are performed following peptide synthesis and conjugation, and purification/QA procedures support high-quality peptide–carrier protein conjugates.
Our quality system follows ISO 9001–aligned practices, with release criteria and documentation scaled to the intended use and program stage.
KLH is often selected for immunization due to strong immunogenicity, while BSA/OVA conjugates are commonly used as screening and assay antigens (e.g., ELISA coating controls) and for validation workflows.
Often, yes—adding a single terminal cysteine can support oriented thiol-selective coupling. Whether to add Cys depends on the epitope location and whether you need N- or C-terminal presentation.
Yes. It is common to prepare KLH conjugates for immunization and BSA/OVA conjugates for screening and assay formats from the same peptide design.
Please provide the peptide sequence, preferred attachment site/handle (or constraints), the carrier protein (KLH/BSA/OVA), intended use (immunization vs assay), quantity, and any buffer/handling requirements.
For the fastest quote, send the peptide sequence, desired attachment site/handle (or “recommend”), carrier protein (KLH/BSA/OVA), target quantity, and intended use (immunization vs screening/assay).
Not sure which route fits your design? Send the epitope region and constraints—we’ll recommend a practical conjugation plan.
Selected references describing carrier protein conjugation chemistry, site-selective bioconjugation strategies, and assay contexts. Links are provided for scientific context.
Note: Publications often describe conjugation chemistry and assay formats without naming synthesis vendors; references are provided for scientific background and method context.
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