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Ouchterlony Double Diffusion

Definition

A gel diffusion technique in which antigen and antibody placed in separate wells in an agar gel diffuse passively toward each other. A precipitation arc forms at the zone of equivalence. Also called immunodiffusion or the Ouchter­lony technique after its developer, Orjan Ouchterlony.

Related terms

Precipitin Reaction
The formation of an insoluble antigen-antibody complex (precipitate) when soluble antigen and antibody meet at equivalent concentrations. The Ouchterlony double-diffusion test and...
Anti-Human Serum
Antibodies raised in a rabbit (or goat) by repeated injection of human serum. The rabbit's immune system makes IgG against human serum...
Antigen-Antibody Reaction
The specific non-covalent binding between an antigen (a molecule capable of eliciting an immune response) and the antibody produced against it. In...
Antiserum
Serum collected from an immunised animal containing antibodies directed against a specific antigen or group of antigens. In species identification, antiserum raised...
COI Barcoding
DNA-based species identification using a standard 658 bp segment of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene. Sequences are matched against reference...
Counter-Immunoelectrophoresis (CIE)
An accelerated form of gel diffusion in which an electric current drives antigen and antibody toward each other rather than relying on...
Cross-Reactivity
The capacity of an antibody raised against one analyte to bind structurally related compounds. In RIA, cross-reactivity is the main driver of...
Cyt-B PCR
Amplification and sequencing of the mitochondrial cytochrome-b gene. The reference marker for species identification in degraded and trace samples.
Immunoelectrophoresis
A two-step technique: proteins are first separated by electrophoresis in agar gel, then antiserum diffuses from a parallel trough and forms precipitin...
Uhlenhuth Test (1901)
The original precipitin ring test devised by Paul Uhlenhuth in Greifswald. Layering anti-human serum under a dilute bloodstain extract gives a white...
Zone of Equivalence
The concentration range at which antigen and antibody molecules are present in the correct ratio for maximum lattice formation and visible precipitation....

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