Recombinant antibodies are pure proteins with minimal batch-to-batch variability, so could provide an important element of antibody standardization (A. Bradbury et al. Nature 518, 27–29; 2015). However, they must still be functionally validated if they are to help solve the reproducibility crisis.

Vendors and researchers would have to optimize their recombinant antibodies for specific applications, because of the inherent complexity of these molecules and their ability to bind non-specifically to other proteins carrying similar immunological sequences.

Suppliers and users of such antibodies will need specialized training in this validation and optimization, particularly in experimental design and the extensive use of controls.