Patent US 8,252,727

Methods for improving antibodies by a variety of DNA diversification and selection procedures are provided. Improvements include increases in affinity, alterations in specificity and effector function, as well as reduced antigenicity, e.g. humanization. Libraries of recombinant antibody sequences are provided, as are cells expressing members of such libraries. Novel phage display vectors are provided. Methods for the coevolution of an antibody and its cognate antigen are provided. Coevolution is used to evolve HIV envelope proteins with increased antigenicity and broadly neutralizing antibodies that interact therewith. Methods of improving antibodies for use in the detection of biological warfare agents are provided.