Means and methods for selection of specific binders

The disclosure relates to a novel method for selection and identification of specific polypeptide binding agents for a target of interest. More specifically, the selection method involves capturing the target of interest on a surface using a first binding agent to form an immobilized antigen complex, selecting for specific antigen-binding polypeptides present in a sample, preferably as a display library, and eluting the target protein and the selective polypeptide binder, using a second binding agent competing for the target binding site of the first binding agent. More specifically, the selection method presented herein provides for an efficient and highly selective medium- to high-throughput technology applicable to recombinant antibody libraries, including immune and unbiased or proteome-wide display libraries, wherein selections can be performed without a need for purified target protein, in physiological conditions.