Immunostaining

Definition

Immunostaining is a laboratory technique used to detect specific proteins or antigens in cells or tissue sections using antibodies. It is widely utilized in microbiology to study the immune response.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Immunostaining techniques include immunohistochemistry (IHC) and immunofluorescence (IF).
2. Primary antibodies bind directly to the target antigen, while secondary antibodies bind to primary antibodies and are often conjugated with a detectable marker.
3. A common application of immunostaining is in the diagnosis of diseases, such as identifying cancer markers in biopsies.
4. The specificity and affinity of the antibody are crucial for the accuracy of immunostaining results.
5. Controls, both positive and negative, are essential to validate the staining procedure.

Review Questions

• What are primary and secondary antibodies in the context of immunostaining?
• Why are controls necessary in immunostaining experiments?
• Name two common applications of immunostaining.

Related terms

Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA): A test that uses antibodies and color change to identify a substance.

Western Blotting: A technique used to detect specific proteins in a sample using gel electrophoresis followed by antibody staining.

Flow Cytometry: A technology used to analyze the physical and chemical characteristics of particles in a fluid as it passes through at least one laser.