Antibody database

Flow cytometry was developed to label and examine single cells with high throughput capacity using antibodies conjugated to fluorophores. The basic concept of flow cytometry is that a cell suspension is delivered as a single stream and is passed through a light source that uses detectors to generate data sets based off cellular properties. More specifically, the light emitted by fluorescently conjugated antibodies is channeled through selected filters to sort based off preset parameters or targets used.

The Western Blot – a tried and true experimental protocol where protein structures are separated via molecular weight/charge and transferred to a membrane before visualization by a chemiluminescent solution (say that three times fast!). Seems simple, right?  While the step-by-step process of a western blot has for the most part remained the same over the years, variations in solutions, procedures and reagents may increase the efficacy of your results.

Stimulator of interferon genes (STING), also known as TMEM173, promotes the production of the interferon’s IFN-alpha and IFN-beta.  STING possesses three functional domains: a cytoplasmic C-terminal tail, a central globular domain, and four N-terminal transmembrane motifs that attach it to the ER.  The role of STING in the immune response is specific to its ability to sense nucleic acids, particularly dsDNA.

Different types of cell death have classically been identified by discrete morphological changes. The hallmarks of apoptosis include cell shrinkage, nuclear fragmentation and membrane blebbing whereas necroptosis is characterized by cell swelling and plasma membrane breakdown. While these two forms of cell death are clearly distinct, substantial crosstalk occurs between them.  Accordingly, it is becoming increasingly important to understand how these processes differ and to understand ways to differentiate them in cellular populations. 

The immune system is composed of a portion of T cells that express an invariant T cell receptor (TCR) alpha chain known as V alpha 24 J alpha 18. These highly conserved populations are referred to as iNKT populations and have the ability to rapidly produce cytokines following activation, making them hot targets for therapeutic research initiatives.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) currently contributes to nearly 30% of all injury deaths in the United States.  Characterized by an abrasive head injury that interrupts normal brain function, TBI can range from mild to severe.  Mild symptoms can present themselves as excessive tiredness, difficulty concentrating and lack of clear thinking.  Severe cases of TBI are hallmarked by unusual behavior, seizures and loss of consciousness.  Research has shown that on a molecular level TBI triggers various mechanisms of cell death alongside attempted tissue recovery, therefore Choi et al sought

The CRISPR-Cas9 genome-engineering tool is a powerful opportunity for researchers to study individual gene function. CRISPR-Cas9, abbreviated for Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats, is a bacterial defense system that can be reprogrammed to target specific areas of DNA followed by precise editing.  Essentially, CRISPR sequences are transcribed into short RNA sequences that will match the desired DNA sequence of interest.

Have you ever wondered why cells in the same population respond differently to an apoptotic stimulus? Apoptosis, a form of programmed cell death, is vital for the removal of unwanted or damaged cells. As with most cellular processes, too much or too little activation can be detrimental and lead to various diseases including autoimmune disorders and cancer.

Why: To identify a specific organelle or another cellular structure and to mark individual cells, it is necessary to counterstain them in immunocytochemistry/immunofluorescence (ICC/IF) assays.