Human bodies are equipped with an immune system, which resists and protects against harmful pathogens (antigens) such as viruses or bacteria. Antibodies play a central role in the immune system. By binding to the antigens, the antibodies reduce the toxity of the antigens or aid neutrophils or macrophages digest and kill the antigens. The unique feature of antibodies binding to antigens is applied in the following fields.

1.

Reagents for basic research A human body consists of more than 100 thousand types of proteins. Proteins have many important functions such as synthesizing, degrading substances or exchanging the energies. However, the complete functions of protein have not yet been clarified. Antibodies are used for basic research at laboratories in universities as reagents that detect an abnormal protein that causes a disease, measure the amount of a protein or clarify the location of a specific protein.

The yellow parts: Anti-human Aurora-A Antibody binding to a targeting protein

2.	Clinical diagnostic drugs Antibodies are used in clinical tests as clinical diagnostic drugs at hospitals such as in immunological serum examinations and biochemical examination of blood or urine of patients or healthy controls in order to diagnose a disease.

3.

Antibody drugs Antibody-based drugs have been used for the treatment of cancer since the decoding of the whole human genome was completed and, as specific functions of genes have been determined. As antibodies bind to target cells such as cancer cells, antibody drugs selectively attack the diseased target. Therefore, antibody drugs are expected to have higher efficiency with lower incidence of side effects in the treatment of obstinate diseases than conventional drugs, which are based on low molecular weight chemicals.