Monoclonal antibodies: principles and practice : production and application of monoclonal antibodies in cell biology, biochemistry and immunology

508 Pages·1996·30.3 MB·English

by  James W. Goding

Preface to First Edition
Ever since the beginnings of experimental immunology at the end of the nine-
teenth century, scientists have exploited the specificity of antibodies to detect,
isolate and analyze biological material. The power of antibodies as probes for
biological structure underwent a quantum increase in 1975, when K6hler and
Milstein published their classic paper on the production of monoclonal anti-
bodies of predefined specificity. Paradoxically, the very success of monoclonal
antibodies has generated a literature that is now so vast and scattered that it
has become difficult for the non-specialist to obtain a perspective.
I believe that the need has arisen for an integrated text which treats the
application of monoclonal antibodies as a subject in its own right. In any field,
the best results cannot be achieved until the basic principles are understood. I
have therefore tried to integrate theory and practice, and to write in such a way
that the reader will be able to adapt and change procedures to suit individual
needs and resources. One of the recurring themes in the history of scientific
discovery is the improvement in precision and scope of analytical systems. I
have therefore emphasized the factors that set the limits to the performance of
each system, and indicated ways in which these limits might be extended or
bypassed.
I am deeply indebted to many people for help in various aspects of this
book. In particular, I thank Leonard and Leonore Herzenberg, in whose
laboratory I was first introduced to monor antibodies, and to Vernon Oi,
Jeff Ledbetter and Israel Peeht, from whom I learned so much. Many people
helped by discussions, critical comments and reading portions of the
manuscript. I am grateful to Gustav Nossal, Donald Metealf, Alan Harris,
Grant Morahan, Nick Gough, Suzanne Cory, Roland Scollay and
Richard Haugland for many helpful suggestions, and to Jenny Taylor for
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patient, accurate and cheerful help with typing and word processing. The
illustrations were drawn by Richard Mahoney and Peter Maltezos, and were
photographed by Sonya Belan.
I would welcome suggestions, criticism or correction from readers of this
book, so that any future editions might be as accurate and useful as possible.
James .W Goding Melbourne, 1983
Preface to Second Edition
It has been very pleasing to see the acceptance of the first edition of this book.
However, almost as soon as the manuscript had been sent to the publishers, I
found myself compiling a list of ways in which it could be improved. These
involved clarification of detail, the discovery of exceptions to generalizations,
the rapid advance of knowledge, and correction of errors.
It is said that the best way to neutralize a scientific opponent is to make sure
he or she writes a book. I have therefore chosen to update the book selectively,
concentrating on areas of practical importance, rather than attempting to give
the last word on each of the many topics covered.
Once again, I ask the reader of this book to offer suggestions, criticism or
correction.
James .W gnidoG ,enruobleM January 5891