4: ELISA & Science Writing

IMRAD

Introduction, methods, results, discussion

Null Hypothesis

Actually tested, statistical hypothesis in which there’s no significant difference between set of variables, H-Zero

Alternative Hypothesis

Stated in opposition to null hypothesis, H-one, alternative hypothesis used in hypothesis testing that states there’s no significant difference between set of variables

Technical Writing

Clearly communicated scientific work, convey technical information to specific audience for specific purpose, scientific story

Structure in Primary & Secondary Science Literature

AIMRDR, abstract, introduction, methods, results, discussion + conclusion, references

Human Immune System

Fend off invading bacteria, viruses, fungi, transplanted tissues, toxins, tumor cells

Antigens

Expressed on surfaces of foreign substances, mostly proteins sometimes carbohydrates/lipids/nucleic acids, elicit series of immune responses in many organisms

Antibodies

Response by host to produce by B-lymphocytes which bind to specific region on antigen (epitope/antigenic determinant), each B-cell produces one specific one that binds to specific epitope on antigen, discriminate against similar epitopes

Enzyme-Linked Immune Sorbent Assay

Antibody-antigen reaction adapted in medicine + research to detect presence of antigens/antibodies against antigens

Polyclonal

Immune response to antigen, immune system expresses wide variety of antibodies with 3D structure diverse in both binding regions + different effector regions, bind to multiple epitopes on same antigen, produced by injecting antigen into mammal, antibodies removed from bleeding

Binding Region

Determines how + where antibody binds to antigenic epitope, different effector regions give antibody options to deal differently with one + same antigen

Monoclonal Antibodies

Products of single B-cell clone, time-consuming, spleen with residing B-cells extracted

Myeloma Cells

Immortal cells, cancerous B-cells

Hybridomas

Live forever under specific conditions, cultured in vitro/injected into 2nd mammal

Ascites

Created by hybridomas from localized cancerous growths

Subsequent Column Chromatography

Used to isolate antibodies

Horseradish peroxidase

Enzyme commonly used for ELISA