Immunological Methods

This chapter describes immunological methods, which are based on the structure and function of the immune system, which in turn relies on the ability of a body to distinguish self from nonself. In general, these methods rely on antibodies generated in response to antigens, and are known as immunoassays. Here we discuss antibody diversity, specificity and affinity, including both polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies, and antibodies that develop in response to another individual antibody or antiglobulins. Immunoassays are then described including: fluorescence immune-labeling; enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA); immunomagentic assays; Western immunoblotting assays; immunoaffinity chromatographic assays; immunocytological assays; immunoprecipitation assays; and lateral flow immunoassays. Finally, new immunosensor technologies are described including surface plasmon resonance.