Abstract
THE most sensitive technique available for identifying proteins consists of using the protein, by injection into a suitable animal, as an antigen, and diffusing it through a gel containing the antibody produced by the animal. The antigen and antibody combine in certain proportions, and if they are present in sufficient amounts a band of precipitate is formed. Oudin1 diffused one reactant into a gel in which the other reactant was evenly distributed. Ouchterlony2 and Elek3 diffused both components towards one another through a gel. Complex mixtures of antigens and antibodies may be analysed by means of this technique since each specific antigen–antibody system behaves independently as though the others were not present. The principles of the technique outlined below have been described by Ambrose4 and the technique has been used by Conmar Robinson to examine the diffusion of solvents through polymers5.
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References
Oudin, J., C.R. Acad. Sci., Paris, 222, 115 (1946).
Ouchterlony, O., Acta path. microbiol. Scand., 25, 186 (1948).
Elek, S. D., Brit. Med. J., 493 (March 13, 1948).
Ambrose, E. J., J. Sci. Instr., 25, 134 (1948).
Robinson, Conmar, Proc. Roy. Soc., A, 204, 339 (1950).
Adair, G. S., and Robinson, M. L., Biochem. J., 24, 993 (1930).
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AMBROSE, E., EASTY, G. Detection of Antigen–Antibody Interactions by an Interferometric Method. Nature 172, 811 (1953). https://doi.org/10.1038/172811a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/172811a0
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