Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why should I use MHC Tetramers?
A: MHC Tetramer reagents are essential for accurately monitoring and quantifying CD8+ antigen-specific T cells in samples like PBMCs, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), or splenocytes. These reagents enable precise detection of immune responses, making them invaluable for immunotherapy research and disease monitoring.
Q: How are Tetramers used?
A: MHC Tetramers are used to stain antigen-specific T cells in lymphoid samples (e.g., PBMCs, TILs, or splenocytes). Following staining, flow cytometry is employed to identify and quantify the specific cell populations. Please refer to our detailed protocol for step-by-step instructions.
Ordering
Q: How do I place an order?
A: You can place orders directly through our web shop. For bulk orders of MHC monomers, or peptide inquiries, email us at ordering@tetramerstore.com.
Payment
Q: What payment methods are available?
A: We accept the following payment options:
- Credit card
- Bank transfer:
- Bank Name: Spar Nord
- IBAN: DK6593851110593682
- SWIFT: SPNODK22
All payments must be made within 15 days from the invoice date. Please review our Terms & Conditions for further details.
Shipping
Q: What is the typical delivery time?
A:
- Empty Loadable Tetramers: Ship within two business days after order confirmation.
- Off-the-Shelf Tetramers: Ship within two business days of ordering.
- Custom Tetramers: Ship two days after receiving your custom peptide, typically within three weeks of order placement.
Q: Do I need any special documents to purchase Tetramers?
A: In some countries (e.g., Australia and New Zealand), an Import Permit may be required for customs clearance. Please verify with local authorities before ordering.
Distributors
Q: Do you have distributors?
A: Not at the moment. To maintain low costs, Tetramer Store ships MHC Tetramers directly to all countries through our online store. If you are interested in becoming a distributor, feel free to contact us. Please note that our pricing and discounts are the same for distributors and regular customers.
MHC Tetramer Product Information
Q: What is the formulation and concentration of the Tetramers?
A: Our MHC Tetramers are supplied in PBS (pH 7.4) with 5% glycerol. A single test contains 5 µL, and a 50-test vial contains 250 µL of MHC Tetramer reagent. Each test includes 0.2 µg of MHC monomer conjugated to 0.05 µg of streptavidin, attached to the relevant fluorochrome.
Q: What product lines of Tetramers do you offer?
A:
- Off-the-Shelf Tetramers: Ready-made, displaying common peptide antigens, shipped within 48 hours.
- Custom Tetramers: Tailor-made, displaying a customer-defined peptide antigen, typically shipping within four weeks.
- Empty Loadable Tetramers: Peptide-free, allowing customers to load their peptides. These offer great flexibility and reduced costs.
Product Customization
Q: Can I request NaN3-free products?
A: Yes, we provide NaN3-free products. Contact us at ordering@tetramerstore.com for more information.
Q: Can Tetramer Store supply peptides?
A: Yes, we offer peptides for €50/$60 for 40 µg, enough to load 200 MHC Tetramer tests. Visit our “Peptide” section for available options.
Q: What is the minimum recommended peptide affinity for functional MHC Tetramers?
A: The higher the peptide’s affinity for the MHC complex, the better the likelihood of successful peptide presentation. We use the NetMHC prediction tool to estimate peptide-MHC affinities. Learn more on the NetMHC website.
Quality Control and Purification
Q: How do you purify and ensure the quality of your MHC Tetramers?
A: We use proprietary production technology to generate large batches of antigen-empty MHC monomers, which are tested with various peptides. All products undergo rigorous quality control to ensure proper MHC folding and consistent performance across batches.
Empty Loadable Tetramers
Q: Can I purchase empty MHC Tetramers?
A: Absolutely! Our empty MHC Tetramers are a groundbreaking advancement, allowing easy peptide loading and efficient screening of peptide libraries. They offer stability and flexibility without requiring UV-cleavage or harsh treatments. Simply add your peptide, incubate, and stain your cells.
Q: Why are your Empty Loadable MHC Tetramers more stable?
A: Our MHC monomers feature an additional disulfide bond in the heavy chain, offering enhanced stability without peptide binding. This proprietary technology ensures long-lasting, stable tetramers.
Staining and Performance
Q: Why do your Tetramers stain more brightly?
A: Our MHC monomers remain stable even if the peptide leaves the binding pocket, unlike conventional MHC monomers, which may degrade. This stability results in consistently bright staining.
Q: What are the advantages of Empty Loadable Tetramers?
A: They offer flexibility, faster staining, and cost savings. You can create your own Tetramer specificities in under 30 minutes (often less than a minute), making them ideal for screening multiple T cell specificities or exploring proprietary peptides.
Pricing and Discounts
Q: Do you offer discounts?
A: Yes! We offer transparent pricing with discounts based on order size:
- 25% off when you buy 150 tests (relative to 3×50 tests).
- 50% off when you buy 500 tests (relative to 10×50 tests).
- 20% off when you buy 4 items.
- 30% off when you buy 10 or more items.
Protocols
Q: Where can I find your product protocols?
A: Visit our protocols section on the website for detailed, step-by-step guides to ensure optimal use of our products.