The use of gene-specific IgY antibodies for drug target discovery.

Genomics and gene expression data require interpretation at the protein level to validate the biological or pathological findings. To match with the efficiency and capacity of DNA microarray application, methods and approaches of protein analysis in multiplex and high-throughput manner are required for effectively discovering disease-related proteins. Two-dimensional gel and MS-based technologies provide researchers with such approaches, but neither of them can directly and selectively detect target proteins in situ. Antibodies are one of the most crucial tools for meeting this need. Efficient generation of antibodies based on genomics and gene-expression information is an important strategy for producing gene-specific antibodies to link genome to proteome. Avian immunoglobulins isolated from egg yolk (so-called IgY) have several attractive advantages over conventional IgG antibodies.