Understanding The Immune System

two hybridoma cells that produce two different antibodies, have created artificial antibodies made up of two nonidentical halves: while one arm binds to one antigen the second arm binds to another-to a marker molecule, for instance, creating an entirely new way to stain cells.

Recombinant DNA

Genetic engineering, more formally known as recombinant DNA technology, allows scientists to pluck genes (segments of DNA) from one type of organism and combine them with the genes of a second organism. In this way relatively simple organisms such as bacteria or yeast, or even mammalian cells in culture, can be induced to make quantities of human proteins, including interferons or interleukins. Microorganisms can also be made to manufacture proteins from infectious agents such as the hepatitis virus or the AIDS virus, for use in vaccines.