Immunmærkning

Immunmærkning is a laboratory technique used to detect and visualize specific antigens (usually proteins) within cells or tissues. It relies on the highly specific binding of antibodies to their corresponding antigens. In this process, a primary antibody is applied to the sample, which binds to the target antigen. Subsequently, a secondary antibody, which is conjugated to a detectable marker, is added. This secondary antibody binds to the primary antibody. The marker can be an enzyme that produces a colored product, a fluorescent molecule that emits light, or a colloidal gold particle.

The principle behind immunmærkning is the immune system's natural ability to recognize and bind foreign substances. By using antibodies, researchers can leverage this specificity to identify and locate particular molecules of interest within a complex biological environment. This technique is widely used in various fields, including medical diagnostics, research, and drug development. For instance, it can be employed to diagnose diseases by identifying the presence of specific viral or bacterial antigens, or to study the distribution and expression levels of proteins in healthy and diseased cells. Different types of immunmærkning exist, such as immunohistochemistry (IHC) for tissue sections and immunocytochemistry (ICC) for cells. The choice of method depends on the sample type and the desired level of detail.