Antibodies can not only help us to fight pathogens in our bodies, but are also essential tools in biological and biomedical laboratories. Because they bind to a specific type of protein, they allow researchers to specifically label proteins and make them visible under the microscope within the cell or to fish them out of the cells for further characterization. This helps to decipher the function of individual proteins, which is a prerequisite for understanding their role in the development of diseases.

The most efficient way to produce antibodies is still to exploit the natural immune response, e.g. that of rabbits. To do this, the rabbits are injected with the protein against which their immune system is supposed to produce antibodies, as in a vaccination. As with a blood donation, a safe amount of blood is later taken from the rabbits, from which the antibodies can be isolated.

For this reason, 2-4 rabbits are usually kept at RPTU. The rabbits live well cared for for 10 to 12 months in pairs on 30 m² in the animal facility. The animals are not harmed and after their time at RPTU they are given to private pet owners in good health to live on as pets.