Glossary

=Glossary=


 * β-cells: a type of lymphocyte that is responsible for the production of antibodies against antigens.

Blood clot:** coagulation of blood where platelets are aggregated to prevent excessive bleeding.


 * cDNA: (complementary DNA) is synthesized from mRNA (mature RNA) and is required for the cloning process of antibodies. **


 * Complementary determining region:** (CDR) These are the amino acid sequences that display the greatest amino acid variability. Each protein chain of an antibody contains three CDRs that participate in antigen binding interactions.


 * Epitopes:** distinct sites on an antigen that interact with antibodies and elicit an immune response.


 * Framework regions:** (FR) these are amino acid sequences that separate the CDRs. They display also display lower variability than the CDRs.


 * Freund's complete and incomplete adjuvant: Freund's adjuvant is a water in oil emulsion antigen solution that is used as to stimulate the immune system. The complete form is composed of inactivated and dried mycobacteria. The incomplete form only contains the water in oil emulsion.

Immunogenic response:** is the ability of a compound to induce a immune system reponse.


 * Lymphocytes: a type of white blood cell that is found in the vertebrate immune system.

Panning:** The conduction of multiple screening processes that identify and isolate phage carrying compounds such as antibodies.


 * Phage:** short for bacteriophage which is a virus that infects bacteria.


 * Platelets:** small irregular cells that maintain haemostatis(process by which the bleeding is stopped) and helps in formation of thrombi.


 * Placebo:** inert pill that does not contain the active drug. It is used as a control variable in clinical trials.


 * Primer: a strand of nucleic acid whose purpose is to act as the starting point for DNA replication.

Nested Primer:** refers to the process where two pairs of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers are used. The nested primers are the second set of primers that are used to bind within the first PCR product and produce a second PCR that is shorter than the first one.


 * Subcutaneously:** a method of drug delivery where the drug is injected just beneath the skin.


 * Thrombus:** blood clot. Stops the bleeding process.

**Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura** (**TTP):** blood clotting in small blood vessels throughout the body.


 * von Willebrand factor (vWF)**: a blood protein that mediates the aggregation of platelets (blood clots) by forming a bridge with a protein called Glycoprotein Ib (GPIb) at the A1 domain of vWF.

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