Monoclonal antibodies, antigens and molecular diagnostics: A practical overview

The development of monoclonal antibody-based immunochemical assays to measu re antibodies, antigens and small molecules, such as drugs, ushered in a re volution in modern diagnostic medicine. The impact of monoclonal antibodies oil diagnostic imaging technologies and therapeutic regimes was equally dr amatic. Additionally, the application of immunological techniques to the bi ochemical research lab was partially responsible for the exponential growth in our understanding of human physiology, biochemistry and genetics. Monoc lonal antibody technology is limited, however, by the manner in which antig en-antibody interactions can be controlled and by the ability to consistent ly produce antibodies with appropriate affinity and specificity. Recent adv ances in recombinant antigen preparation and antibody engineering have been used to enhance the applications of this technology. In this review, curre nt strategies to generate and engineer monoclonal antibodies as well as the ir clinical applications are summarized. A brief review of molecular diagno stics and its future trend is also included.