The spelling of "Crossed Immunoelectrophoresis" may seem daunting at first, but it can be broken down into its component parts. "Crossed" is pronounced as /krɒst/, with a short "o" sound and a hard "s" sound. "Immunoelectrophoresis" is pronounced as /ˌɪmjʊnoʊɪˌlɛktroʊfɔrˈiːsɪs/, with emphasis on the third syllable and a combination of vowel sounds. The term refers to a laboratory technique used to separate and identify proteins in a sample. Despite its complex spelling, it is widely used in the medical and scientific communities.
Crossed Immunoelectrophoresis is a laboratory technique used in immunology to detect and analyze proteins. It combines two methods: electrophoresis and immunodiffusion, to enable the separation and identification of different antigens within a protein sample.
In this technique, an electric field is applied across a thin gel or agarose matrix containing the protein sample. The proteins are then separated based on their net charge and size. Subsequently, an antibody against a specific antigen of interest is added to the gel. The antigen-antibody interaction leads to the formation of an antigen-antibody complex, which results in the precipitation of the complex at the location where it encounters its corresponding antibody. This process is known as immunoprecipitation.
The crossed aspect of the technique refers to the use of two different antibody samples. One antibody sample is applied horizontally, and the other is added vertically, intersecting with the first. This allows for the identification of multiple antigens within the sample, as the crossed pattern formed by the resulting antigen-antibody complexes can be analyzed and compared.
Crossed immunoelectrophoresis is particularly useful in the study of complex protein mixtures, such as serum, where multiple antigens may be present. It can be applied in research, clinical diagnostics, and vaccine development to identify and characterize specific antigens, monitor immune responses, and detect abnormal protein levels.
The term "Crossed Immunoelectrophoresis" is composed of three main components: "crossed", "immuno-", and "electrophoresis".
1. Crossed: In this context, "crossed" refers to the technique of combining two perpendicular electrophoresis methods. It implies the crossing of two different samples on a gel to observe their interactions. The term "crossed" emphasizes the simultaneous use of two components.
2. Immuno-: The prefix "immuno-" derives from the word "immune", which is related to the body's immune system. "Immuno-" indicates the involvement of antibodies, antigen-antibody reactions, or immunological techniques in the process.
3. Electrophoresis: The term "electrophoresis" combines the prefix "electro-" (relating to electricity) and "phoresis" (meaning movement or migration).