Guide

How to Cite an Antibody in a Publication

Antibody citation format standards, per-application citation templates, RRID practice, and how to forward your PMID to Triple Point Biologics after your paper is accepted — plus the Citation Rebate program that funds early-career research.

Apply for the Citation Rebate →

How to cite an antibody in a publication is a question with a specific answer: the catalog number, the manufacturer, and enough context in the Methods section for another researcher to reproduce the experiment. Antibody citation format is not standardised across journals in the way DNA sequences or crystal structures are, but a small number of conventions have emerged — chief among them the RRID (Research Resource Identifier) system — that make citation databases and reagent-lookup tools work correctly. This guide walks through the standards journal-by-journal, application-by-application, and covers how to cite Triple Point Biologics antibodies specifically.

Beyond the mechanics of citation, this pillar covers the community-building context: why proper citation matters for reagent discoverability, how citation databases (CiteAb, Biocompare, Google Scholar) index antibody use, and how Triple Point's Citation Rebate program supports the citation practice that keeps antibodies findable for the next researcher.

Why proper antibody citation matters

Every antibody citation in a Methods section does three things at once. First, it lets the next researcher who wants to reproduce your experiment order the exact same reagent — the specific lot may not be the same, but the antibody identity is defined by the catalog number and manufacturer. Second, it feeds citation databases (CiteAb, Antibodypedia, Google Scholar) that make antibodies discoverable to researchers who don't already know which reagent to use. Third, it contributes to the reproducibility record: an antibody with 100 citations across independent papers is a different reproducibility signal than an antibody with 1 citation.

The reverse also matters. Antibodies cited without catalog numbers ("commercial rabbit anti-MMP9 antibody") are invisible to citation databases, unreproducible by other researchers, and provide zero contribution to the antibody's citation record. This is not the researcher's mistake alone — many older journal styles did not require catalog numbers, and even now some journals do not enforce them consistently. The consequence is a large volume of published antibody use that cannot be traced back to a specific reagent, undermining the reproducibility case.

The recent movement toward RRIDs (Research Resource Identifiers) is the community response. An RRID is a unique persistent identifier for a biological resource — antibody, cell line, model organism — that any journal can require and any citation database can parse programmatically. RRIDs have been adopted by more than 800 journals and by the Nature portfolio, the Cell portfolio, JBC, PNAS, and most major society journals.

The standard citation format

The core citation elements, in the order most style guides expect them:

  1. Product description — either "anti-[TARGET] rabbit polyclonal antibody" or the shorter "anti-[TARGET] antibody"
  2. Catalog number — the manufacturer's SKU, typically in the format RP1XXXXX for TPB rabbit polyclonals
  3. Manufacturer name and location — Triple Point Biologics, Sudbury ON, Canada
  4. RRID (increasingly required) — the persistent identifier for the antibody
  5. Working dilution and application — in the Methods section where the antibody use is described

Assembled into a Methods sentence, this looks like:

"Membranes were probed with anti-MMP9 rabbit polyclonal antibody (RP1MMP9, Triple Point Biologics, Sudbury ON; RRID:AB_XXXXXXX) at 1:1000 dilution overnight at 4°C."

The exact ordering and punctuation varies with journal style, but every element should be present for a complete citation.

Format standards across major journals

Nature portfolio

Requires catalog number, manufacturer, and RRID. Reagents table encouraged in the Reporting Summary. Example format: "anti-MMP9 (Triple Point Biologics, RP1MMP9, RRID:AB_XXXXXXX)". Reporting Summary requires antibody validation statement.

Cell / Cell Press

STAR Methods format: antibodies listed in the Key Resources Table with SOURCE and IDENTIFIER columns. Catalog number and manufacturer in SOURCE; RRID in IDENTIFIER. RRID strongly encouraged; catalog number mandatory.

JBC (Journal of Biological Chemistry)

Standard Methods-section format with catalog number and manufacturer. RRID acknowledged but not enforced. Antibody validation increasingly requested for revisions.

PNAS

Standard Methods-section format. Catalog number required for reagents used more than 3 times in the paper; recommended for all antibodies. RRID accepted.

eLife, PLOS, BMC (open access)

All require catalog number and manufacturer; all accept and increasingly encourage RRID. Antibody validation statement in Methods increasingly requested.

Society journals (JCI, JCB, JI, etc.)

Style-by-style variation. Most require catalog number and manufacturer. RRID accepted almost universally. Check the journal's current author guidelines because this space is evolving quickly.

Common across all — the catalog number is mandatory. If you take one thing from this guide, it is: always include the catalog number. Without it, the antibody citation is not traceable and adds nothing to the reproducibility record.

RRID — the Research Resource Identifier system

The RRID system (scicrunch.org/resources) assigns each research resource a persistent identifier of the form RRID:AB_XXXXXXX (for antibodies), RRID:CVCL_XXXX (for cell lines), and similar prefixes for other resource types. Once assigned, the RRID uniquely identifies that resource across all publications forever — even if the manufacturer changes catalog numbers, discontinues the product, or is acquired.

Looking up an RRID

Search the antibody by name and catalog number at scicrunch.org/resources. Most established antibodies have RRIDs; if the antibody you use does not, you can submit a new resource for RRID assignment. For Triple Point antibodies, RRIDs are being added to individual product pages as they are assigned by the SciCrunch team.

Including RRID in a citation

Format: "anti-[TARGET] antibody (RP1XXXXX, Triple Point Biologics; RRID:AB_XXXXXXX)". The RRID is in a separate parenthesised clause after the catalog number and manufacturer. Some journals require the RRID as a separate field in a resources table rather than inline in the Methods sentence — check current guidelines.

Citation format per application

The Methods section citation should specify the application-specific parameters that another researcher needs to reproduce the experiment. These parameters differ by application.

Western blot

"For Western blot, membranes were probed with anti-MMP9 rabbit polyclonal antibody (RP1MMP9, Triple Point Biologics, Sudbury ON; RRID:AB_XXXXXXX) at 1:1000 dilution in 5% non-fat dry milk in TBS-T overnight at 4°C, followed by HRP-conjugated goat anti-rabbit secondary (dilution, source, catalog number) for 1 hour at room temperature. Detection was by enhanced chemiluminescence (source)."

Key parameters: dilution, blocking buffer, incubation time and temperature, secondary antibody source and dilution, detection system.

ELISA

"96-well plates were coated with anti-MMP9 rabbit polyclonal antibody (RP1MMP9, Triple Point Biologics; RRID:AB_XXXXXXX) at 1 μg/mL in coating buffer overnight at 4°C. Samples and standards were incubated for 2 hours at room temperature, followed by biotinylated anti-MMP9 detection antibody (source, catalog number) at 500 ng/mL, streptavidin-HRP, and TMB substrate."

Key parameters: coating concentration, detection antibody source, format (sandwich vs direct), read-out.

IHC / IF

"Sections were stained with anti-MMP9 rabbit polyclonal antibody (RP1MMP9, Triple Point Biologics; RRID:AB_XXXXXXX) at 1:100 dilution overnight at 4°C in a humidified chamber, following heat-induced epitope retrieval in citrate buffer pH 6.0. Detection was by [polymer HRP system / fluorescent secondary at defined dilution]."

Key parameters: dilution, tissue type (FFPE or frozen), antigen retrieval conditions, detection system, controls. Note: TPB IHC/IF validation is in progress; researchers using TPB antibodies for IHC/IF should describe their own validation approach in the paper as well.

Immunoprecipitation

"Lysates were incubated with anti-MMP9 rabbit polyclonal antibody (RP1MMP9, Triple Point Biologics; RRID:AB_XXXXXXX) at 2 μg per 500 μg total protein overnight at 4°C, followed by Protein A/G magnetic beads for 1 hour. Immune complexes were washed 3× in lysis buffer and analysed by Western blot / mass spectrometry."

Key parameters: antibody amount per input, incubation time, bead type, wash conditions.

How to cite Triple Point Biologics antibodies

The canonical citation format for TPB antibodies uses the SKU (typically RP1XXXXX for rabbit polyclonals or RPnnXXX for Superpooled kits), the manufacturer name (Triple Point Biologics), and the location (Sudbury, ON, Canada). Examples across the catalog:

  • "anti-BACE1 rabbit polyclonal antibody (RP1BACE1, Triple Point Biologics, Sudbury ON)"
  • "Anti-MMP9 antibody (RP2MMP9, Triple Point Biologics)"
  • "Cathepsin D antibody (Cat. # RP1CTSD; Triple Point Biologics, Sudbury, ON, Canada)"
  • "MMP9 Superpooled Antibody Kit (RP-MMP9-SPA, Triple Point Biologics)" — for Superpooled formats, include the kit SKU rather than individual antibody components.

Where the journal requires RRIDs, use the RRID listed on the individual product page (being added to the catalog progressively). Where the journal has a Key Resources Table format (Cell Press STAR Methods), use TPB as the SOURCE and the catalog number + RRID as the IDENTIFIER.

The TPB Citation Rebate program

The Citation Rebate program is Triple Point's approach to funding the citation practice that keeps antibodies discoverable. In exchange for citing a TPB antibody in a peer-reviewed publication, the researcher's lab receives a rebate credited toward future TPB orders. The program supports early-career researchers specifically — the labs that are building citation records and validation data for reagents in new research areas.

How the Citation Rebate works

  1. Purchase or receive (via the free-sample-for-citation program) a TPB antibody or Superpooled kit.
  2. Use the antibody in your peer-reviewed research and cite it in the Methods section with the correct catalog number and (where available) RRID.
  3. Once the paper is accepted, forward the PMID to TPB through the contact form or by emailing the SKU + PMID directly.
  4. TPB verifies the citation and credits your lab's account with the applicable rebate (rate depends on product, publication year, and prior participation).

Free-sample-for-citation

For labs evaluating a TPB antibody for a paper they're planning to write, the free-sample-for-citation program provides a working 100 μg aliquot in exchange for a citation in the resulting publication. Open to academic, government, and pharmaceutical R&D labs with a clear publication path. Not a marketing sample program — the aliquot is a working quantity intended for actual experimental use.

Verifying citations post-publication

After a paper is accepted, verify the citation is picked up correctly by citation databases. Standard checks:

  • CiteAb (citeab.com): Search by catalog number. TPB citations should appear within 30-60 days of publication. If not, submit through CiteAb's citation submission form.
  • Google Scholar: Search the catalog number as a text string. Scholar indexes it automatically for most journals.
  • Antibodypedia: Free antibody search database. TPB antibodies are being added progressively.
  • PubMed: The PMID is the persistent identifier for your paper; TPB uses PMID to verify the citation for the rebate program.

If a database has not picked up your citation after 60 days, forward the PMID to TPB — we track citations across databases and surface each one on the corresponding product page, and we can help chase down mis-indexed references.

Antibody validation statements — the newer journal requirement

Increasing numbers of journals now require or strongly encourage an antibody validation statement in the Methods — one to two sentences explaining what evidence supports the specificity claim for each antibody. Standard elements:

  • What validation did the manufacturer provide (knockout, recombinant paralogue panel, peptide competition, etc.)
  • Did the researcher do additional validation in their own system, and what did that show
  • Positive and negative controls run alongside the experimental samples

Example: "Anti-MMP9 (RP1MMP9, Triple Point Biologics) was validated by the manufacturer against recombinant MMP-9 and closely related MMP paralogues (MMP-2, MMP-13) and by us in the current work using MMP-9 knockdown macrophage cultures as a negative control (Fig S1A) and recombinant MMP-9 as a positive control."

See the Triple Point quality and validation approach for the standards TPB applies internally; the specific validation available for each product is on the individual product page.

What TPB does with citations you send us

Citations forwarded to TPB are (1) verified against the published paper's Methods section, (2) added to the specific product page as a linked reference, (3) counted toward the Citation Rebate calculation, and (4) tracked internally as evidence of application-specific validation. Citations are not shared publicly beyond the product-page listing — TPB does not send marketing emails identifying specific labs, and citations are never sold or shared with third parties.

Aggregated (non-identified) citation data is used to guide catalog development — which targets are most-cited signals what should be validated more deeply, prioritised for Superpooled kit development, or added to the catalog as new products.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the minimum information I need to cite an antibody?

Catalog number and manufacturer name. Everything else — RRID, dilution, application, validation — is important but the catalog number is the single load-bearing element. Without it, the citation cannot be traced to a specific reagent.

What is an RRID and do I need one?

An RRID (Research Resource Identifier) is a persistent unique identifier for a research resource. RRIDs are required or strongly encouraged by more than 800 journals including the Nature and Cell portfolios, JBC, PNAS, eLife, and PLOS. Look up the RRID for your antibody at scicrunch.org/resources; for TPB antibodies, RRIDs are being added to individual product pages.

How do I cite a Triple Point Biologics antibody?

Standard format: "anti-[TARGET] rabbit polyclonal antibody (RP1XXXXX, Triple Point Biologics, Sudbury ON; RRID:AB_XXXXXXX)". The exact ordering and punctuation depends on journal style, but every element should be present. Use the specific catalog number from the product page or your invoice.

What's the Citation Rebate program?

Citation Rebate credits your lab's account with a rebate toward future TPB orders in exchange for citing a TPB antibody in a peer-reviewed publication. Once your paper is accepted, forward the PMID to TPB with the catalog number; the rebate is credited after verification. Program is intended to support early-career research groups building antibody citation records.

How do I forward my PMID to TPB?

Use the contact form or email the catalog number + PMID directly to TPB. Include a short note if the citation is under a specific format (Key Resources Table, RRID-only reference, etc.) so we can verify it correctly.

What if the antibody I used is discontinued — how do I cite it?

Cite the original catalog number and manufacturer regardless of current availability. The purpose of citation is reproducibility, not availability; the RRID persists across discontinuation. If TPB discontinues a specific catalog number, the RRID remains valid and the product page is retained as a citation reference.

Do I need a validation statement in my Methods?

Depends on the journal. Nature, Cell, and several other high-impact venues now require or strongly encourage validation statements. Even where not required, a one-sentence statement covering manufacturer validation + researcher validation strengthens the paper. TPB's quality-and-validation page describes the internal validation standards for the catalog.

Can I cite a TPB antibody for an application it isn't validated for?

Yes, provided you describe your own validation in the Methods. Many antibodies work in applications beyond the manufacturer's validated list — the validation you run in your own system is the practical evidence. State clearly what applications the manufacturer validated for (e.g., "validated for Western blot and ELISA by the manufacturer") and what you validated additionally.

How long does it take for a citation to appear on the product page?

Once forwarded to TPB with the PMID, citations are typically added within 30 days. Automated citation-database pickups (CiteAb, Scholar) can take longer — 30-90 days depending on database and journal.

Does TPB share citation lists with third parties?

No. Citations are added to product pages as a public reference, but TPB does not send marketing emails identifying specific labs, does not sell citation lists, and does not share them with third parties beyond the product-page listing.

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