C8116 Immunochemical techniques

Faculty of Science
Spring 2025
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 2 credit(s) (plus extra credits for completion). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
Dr. rer. nat. habil. Hans-Heiner Gorris (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
Dr. rer. nat. habil. Hans-Heiner Gorris
Department of Biochemistry – Chemistry Section – Faculty of Science
Supplier department: Department of Biochemistry – Chemistry Section – Faculty of Science
Timetable
Mon 17. 2. to Sat 24. 5. Tue 14:00–15:50 B11/335
Prerequisites
C3181 Biochemistry I || C3580 Biochemistry || C9530 Structure of biomacromolecules || C7105 Biochem – metabolism
A completed bachelor's degree is required for attending the course. Additional recommendation: C3181 Biochemistry I Basic knowledge of biology and general chemistry.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The course aims at a fundamental understanding of immunochemical methods. The main topics are: A) immune system, B) labelling techniques, C) immunoassays, and D) protein-protein interactions. The course is complementary to C8117 Advanced microscopy and C3002 Nanobiotechnology.
Learning outcomes
After completing the course, a student will understand - the main players of our immune system and the benefits of getting vaccinated. - what makes antibodies such a terrific biochemical tool. - that immunoassays safe thousands of lifes every day. - how protein-protein interactions hold the key to their function. - what can (and what cannot) be visulized by fluorescence microscopy.
Syllabus
  • Introduction: Overview on immunochemical techniques
  • Part A: The immune system
  • 1) General introduction to the immune system
  • 2) Innate / adaptive immune system
  • 3) Lymphoid organs, B cells, clonal selection
  • 4) Generation of antibody diversity, affinity maturation
  • 5) Complement system
  • 6) Immunoglobulin superfamily and function of antibody classes IgG, IgM, IgA, IgE
  • 7) Antibody binding; affinity vs. avidity
  • 8) Antigen determinants: hapten / epitope
  • 9) Raising an immune response in mice, generation of monoclonal antibodies (Milstein/Köhler)
  • 10) role of helper/cytotoxic T cells
  • 11) MHC class I and II, T-cell receptor, antigen presenting cells
  • Part B: Antibodies as immunological tools
  • 1) Handling of antibodies
  • 2) Antibodies as immunochemical reagents
  • 3) Antibody affinity (equilibrium constants, SPR)
  • 5) Limitations of natural antibodies (affinity ceiling, relatively large size)
  • 6) Antibody engineering (excursion: therapeutic antibodies)
  • 8) Alternatives: recombinant, humanized, cameloid, heavy chain antibodies
  • 9) Phage display
  • 10) Aptamers (SELEX)
  • 11) Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs)
  • Part C: Immunoassays
  • 1) Definition and key developments of immunoassays
  • 2) Applications of immunoassays (diagnostic, environmental, food safety)
  • 3) Labelling / signal amplification strategies (enzymes, fluorophores, NPs, radionuclides, immune PCR, chemiluminescence)
  • 4) Matrix interference (medical, environmental samples) and non-specific binding
  • 5) Definition: sensitivity / limit of detection / limit of quantification
  • 6) Competitive / non-competitive
  • 7) Heterogeneous / homogeneous immunoassays
  • RIA, ELISA, Time-resolved immunoassays (DELFIA), NP detection (ULISA), fluorescence polarization (FPIA), Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), proximite ligation
  • 8) Lateral flow assays
  • 9) Biosensors
  • 10) Microarrays (concept of ambient analyte assays)
  • 11) Suspension arrays (magnetic beads)
  • 12) Multiplexing
  • 13) Single-molecule / digital immunoassays (Quanterix Inc.)
  • 14) From our own work: assay design principles
  • 15) Commercialized immunoassay test kits
  • Part D: Immunoaffinity techniques
  • 1) Immune agglutination / precipitation (Nephelometry)
  • 2) Immune diffusion (Ouchterlony test)
  • 3) Immunoblotting
  • 4) Co-immunoprecipitation
  • 5) Analysis of protein-protein interactions
  • (far Western blotting, Affinity chromatography, GST pulldown assay, Tandem affinity purification: tap tagging, analytical ultracentrifugation)
  • 6) Yeast two hybrid system
Teaching methods
Lecture.
Assessment methods
Oral examination.
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course can also be completed outside the examination period.
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2022, Spring 2023, Spring 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
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