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Home >> Dictionary of Bioinformatics, Biochemistry, Biotechnology >> Immunoabsorbant - Immunological Memory
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Immune response (lr) gene
A gene that regulates an immune response to a particular antigen. Most genes of this type are in the MHC (major histocompatibility complex).
Immune surveillance
The process by which the immune system kills arising cancer cells.
Immune system
A population of lymphocytes and other blood cells that defends vertebrates against infection.
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Immunity
1. In plasmids, refers to the ability of a plasmid to prevent another plasmid of the same type becoming established in the cell by interfering with its replication. 2. In phages, describes the ability of a Prophage to prevent a similar type of phage from infecting a cell. This is brought about by synthesis of phage repressor by the Prophage genome. 3. In transposons, refers to the property of some transposon to prevent other similar transposons from transposing to the same DNA molecule. 4. The relative insusceptibility of an animal or plant to infection by disease-producing organisms or to the harmful effects of their poisons.
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Immunoaffinity chromatography
A special form of affinity chromatography in which antibodies in the form of immobilised ligands are used in the isolation and purification of a range of proteins.
Immunoassay
A method for detecting the presence of a particular compound in a biological sample based on antibody specificity. The assay is positive when there is precipitation of an antigen-antibody complex. The antibody can be linked to a radioactive atom and detected by measurement of radioactivity (radioimmunoassay, RIA) or to an enzyme that catalyses an easily monitored reaction such as a change in colour (enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, ELISA).
Immunoblotting
A technique for determining the presence and properties of an antigen. This involves reaction of labeled antibodies to the antigen after the antigen is separated based on size and/or charge by gel electrophoresis followed by transfer to a membrane.
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Immunodeficiency
The state of impairment of the immune system that results in inability or decreased capacity of the immune system to evoke an immune response to a cell or a particular antigen. It may be congenital or acquired.
Immunodiagnostics
See immunoassay.
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Immunodiffusion
A technique to detect the presence of an antigen that involves diffusion of an antigen and an antibody with formation of a precipitate as a result of the antigen-antibody reaction.
Immunoelectron microscopy
See immunogold microscopy
Immunoelectrophoresis
A variation of the immunodiffusion technique in which the antigen is subjected to gel electrophoresis which is then used for assay by immunodiffusion.
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Immunochemical control
Use of immune agents to control infections.
Immunoconjugate
A compound which is a combination of an antibody and another molecule. This includes immunotoxins, which are conjugates of an antibody and a protein toxin that targets a toxin to a tissue to be destroyed, antibody contrast agents and tracers that conjugate an antibody to a chemical that can be detected in an imaging system, and antibody enzyme conjugates used in immunoassays.
Immunization
The generation of immunity in an individual by artifical means. Active immunisation involves the introduction (oral or by infection) of modified (killed, live attenuated) bacteria, viruses or their toxins to stimulate the production of antibodies.
Immunoabsorbant
A solid matrix to which antibodies are attached. It is used to purify antigens from biological preparation by binding of the antigens to the antibodies bound to the matrix.
Immunofluorescence
A technique for identifying antigens using an antibody labelled with fluorescent material. Specific binding of the antibody and antigen can be visualised using a microscope under ultraviolet light.
Immunogen
A substance that induces an antibody response. Also known as antigen.
Immunogenicity
The ability to elicit an immune response.
Immunoglobulin
A group of proteins (globulins) that function as antibodies. They are produced by specialised cells called B lymphocytes in response to the presence of a foreign substance known as antigens. The antibodies are found in blood serum and other body fluids. In vertebrates, there are five classes of immunoglobulins-lgA, lgD, lgE, lgG and lgM. See antibody.
Immunoglobulin domain (lg domain)
A characteristic protein domain of about 100 amino acids present in the light and heavy chains of immunoglobulins. Similar immunoglobulin-like domains are found in other proteins involved in cell-cell interactions and antigen recognition and define the lg superfamily.
Immunoglobulin gene switching
A change in the class of immunoglobulins produced by a lymphocyte that results from recombination events such as the switch from lgM to lgG.
Immunoglobulin superfamily
Proteins that contain one or more immunoglobulin-like domains and mediate Ca2+- independent cell-cell adhesion. Many members of the family are involved in cell-cell interactions and antigen recognition. The neural cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM) is the base characterised protein in this family. It is expressed by nerve cells as well as by other types. N-CAMs presents on adjacent cells exhibit homophilic binding whereas intracellular adhesion molecules (ICAMs) on endothelial cells, which bind to integrins on blood cells exhibit heterophilic binding. There are about 20 forms of N-CAMs generated by alternative splicing. In all the forms, the extracellular region is folders into 5 immunoglobulin-like domains connected by disulphide bridges.
Immunogold microscopy
Electron microscopy technique in which cellular structures or molecules are labelled with antibodies tagged with electron-dense gold particles. These are visible as black spots on the image.
Immunohistochemistry
A technique for the localization of specific proteins in fixed samples. This involves staining cells with a labelled antibody specific for a particular protein.
Iimmunolabelling
The technique of labeling molecules and/or biological structures by using antibodies bound to other molecules. This serves as a label for the antigen-antibody complex.
Immunological memory
A state that follows the primary immune response to antigens in which subsequent encounter with that antigen will elicit a rapid secondary immune response.
immunology
The study of all phenomena related to the body’s response to antigenic challenge including immunity, sensitivity and allergy as well as the application of these principles to diagnosis and therapy.
Iimmunome The sum total of the immunodominant proteins in an organ ism.
Immunomics
The study of the molecular functions associated with all immune-related coding and non-coding mRNA transcripts.
Immunomodulators
A diverse class of proteins that boost the immune system. Many of the immunomodulators are cell growth factors that enhance the production of specific cells that play a role in immune response. These proteins may have potential in cancer treatment.
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