Many people may wonder what are immunoglobulins and what types there are, in this article we will answer all the questions about their functions and immunoglobulin structure. Immunoglobulins, or antibodies, are Y-shaped proteins produced by specialised cells of the immune system called B cells and plasma cells. The immune system produces specific antibodies for each... Continue reading
Many people will wonder what are second messengers, here we will solve all the doubts to make it clear. Second messengers are small molecules and ions that transmit signals received from cell surface receptors to effector proteins. They include a wide variety of chemical species and possess various properties that enable them to signal within... Continue reading
In this article we give you the definition of a lysosome, its characteristics and function, as well as its structure and types. Cells are units that function as small, precise machines that keep all the activities organisms need going. This work is carried out by organelles, which are small subunits within the cell. It is... Continue reading
We often have doubts about what antibodies and antigens are, in this article we will clarify all doubts in detail. Reactions between antigens and antibodies are very specific reactions. An antibody can only recognise a specific antigen or antigen determinant. However, when a determinant is common to several antigens, an antibody will be able to... Continue reading
In this article we will discuss the differences between qPCR and dPCR for the sake of clarity. DNA amplification by PCR is now a fundamental laboratory technique, and innovations continue to expand its use in research laboratories and clinics. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) allows relative quantification of target DNA and is a reliable and well-established method... Continue reading
Cytokines are key cell signalling molecules linked to diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, rheumatoid arthritis and cancer. This article reviews current methods of detecting and measuring cytokines and illustrates their use. What are cytokines? A kind of protein this is made via way of means of positive immune and non-immune cells and has an impact... Continue reading
Chromatography is a technique to separate various constituents of a mixture by making them migrate through a liquid or gas phase on a stationary phase. This article presents the main types of chromatography, with their separation principle and main indications. In the last part, it proposes a comparison of these different techniques. What is chromatography?... Continue reading
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are adult stem cells isolated from various sources that can differentiate into other cell types. In humans, these sources include: bone marrow, fat (adipose tissue), umbilical cord tissue (Wharton's jelly) or amniotic fluid (the fluid surrounding the foetus). Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), or stromal stem cells, can differentiate into many cell... Continue reading
The acronym CRISPR stands for repetitive sequences in the DNA of bacteria, which function as auto-vaccines. Many human diseases are genetic in nature, caused by changes or mutations in an individual's genetic sequence or by aberrant expression of certain genes. Gene therapy aims to correct or replace the dysfunctional gene in a cell, and the... Continue reading
Stem cells - from healthy donors or patients - are often used in basic research, drug discovery and therapeutic applications, but their cultivation can be difficult. This article provides tips on how to cultivate stem cells in the laboratory to ensure reproducible and reliable results. Under the right conditions, stem cells maintain their stem cell... Continue reading
