Struggling with inconsistent Western blot bands? Results feeling like a lottery? Your loading control choice might be the culprit! This guide demystifies selection strategies for error-free protein normalization.

Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is a technique that utilizes the principle of specific binding between antigens and antibodies in immunology. It identifies antigens (such as polypeptides and proteins) in tissue cells through chemical reactions that cause color-developing agents (fluorescein, enzymes, metal ions, isotopes) labeled on antibodies to develop color, enabling their localization, qualitative, and quantitative study. Due to its strong specificity, high sensitivity, and rapid and simple operation, immunofluorescence technology is widely applied in clinical pathological diagnosis and testing.

Ferroptosis is executed by phospholipid peroxidation, a process relying on metabolic products reactive oxygen species (ROS), phospholipid containing polyunsaturated fatty acid chain(s) (PUFA-PL), and transition metal iron, and that intra- and intercellular signaling events, morphologically, ferroptosis induces rupture of the plasma membrane and cytoplasmic swelling/edema, alongside disruption of mitochondrial morphology, among other alterations, and environmental stresses can impact ferroptosis by regulating cellular metabolism and ROS level.

A significant new study published in Lancet Neurology shows that over 3 billion people worldwide suffered from neurological disorders in 2021. Neurological conditions such as stroke, epilepsy, and dementia cause 9 million deaths globally each year, ranking them among the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. In 2021, the top ten neurological disorders contributing to health loss were stroke, neonatal encephalopathy (brain injury), migraine, dementia, diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage), meningitis, epilepsy, neurological complications in preterm infants, autism spectrum disorder, and nervous system cancers. At the World Health Assembly held in 2022, Member States adopted the Intersectoral Global Action Plan on Epilepsy and Other Neurological Disorders 2022–2031, providing a roadmap for countries to improve the prevention, early detection, treatment, and rehabilitation of neurological disorders.

In molecular biology experiments, qPCR (quantitative real-time PCR) and Western blot (WB) are regarded as a complementary pair: qPCR detects transcriptional levels (mRNA), while WB validates protein expression. However, when results from these two methods contradict each other, researchers often encounter confusion—did the experiment fail, or is there an underlying biological phenomenon at play? Let us explore these mysteries with Dr. Connie.

Antibodies are powerful tools for protein and molecular detection and purification. While intact antibodies (typically IgG or IgM) are suitable for most immunoassay applications, certain procedures benefit from the use of antibody fragments such as Fab, scFv, and dAb.

Western blot (WB) is a routine yet powerful protein detection method used to study post-translational modifications, relative protein abundance, molecular weight, and protein-protein interactions. Since its inception, WB has provided valuable insights for academic research, diagnostics, and therapeutic testing. As shown in Figure 1, WB separates native or denatured proteins via gel electrophoresis, transfers them to a membrane while preserving peptide integrity and biological activity, and uses specific antibodies to identify and quantify target proteins within complex mixtures extracted from cells or tissues.

The generation of the VBASE2 database was previously described (Retter et al. 2005).

Antibodies are immune system-related proteins called immunoglobulins. Each antibody consists of four polypeptide – two heavy chains and two light chains joined to form a "Y" shaped molecule.

The Kabat numbering scheme is a widely adopted standard for numbering the residues in an antibody in a consistent manner. However the scheme has problems!