Antibodies are large Y-shaped proteins. They are selected by
the immune system to identify and neutralize foreign objects like bacteria and
viruses. Each antibody has a unique target known as the antigen present on the
invading organism. This antigen is like a key that aids the antibody in
identifying the organism. This is due to the antibody as well as the antigen
have similar structure at the tips of their “Y” structures. Just like every
lock has a single key, an antibody has a sole antigen key. When this antigen
key is inserted into the lock, the Sigma
antibody activates, neutralizing its target. The fabrication of antibodies
is the main function of the immune system. Sigma-Aldrich today announced it has
entered into an agreement with the Heart, Lung, & Blood Institute of the
National Institutes of Health, and Boston University to develop methods to
measure several potential biomarkers of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease
using plasma samples from the NHLBI's Framingham Heart Study, one of the most
prestigious clinical studies in medicine.
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