Primary Cell Types & Isolation
All About B Cells: Antibodies and Beyond
Written by Joanna Wirkus, PhD Introduction B cell basics B cell differentiation Antibodies Monoclonal antibodies in medicine Cytokine production Antigen presentation B cells and gene therapy: animal and human research B lymphocytes were first described in the 1960s by scientists Cooper and Good, who discovered the site of B cell maturation in birds by halting…
For More InformationHow Natural Killer Cells are Revolutionizing Cancer Treatment
By Joanna Wirkus What makes Natural Killer (NK) Cells the Perfect Weapon Against Cancer? Unlike the T cells of the adaptive immune system, innate natural killer (NK) cells protect the body against tumors without prior programming. They recognize and become activated by abnormal cells that lack or express key outer membrane markers characteristic of cancer.…
For More InformationHow to Improve Humanized Mouse Engraftment: CD34+ Cell Sourcing & Viability Tips
By: Joanna Wirkus Simple Steps to Significantly Improve Humanized Mice Engraftment Success Previously in “Overcoming Challenges with Animal Models in Research”, we covered why animal models with human immune systems have significantly improved the translation of preclinical findings into life-saving treatments. Successfully creating these advanced models for testing new therapies relies on high hematopoietic stem…
For More InformationCord Blood CD34+ Cells: High Viability for Humanized Mouse Models
By: Joanna Wirkus The Rise of Cord Blood CD34+ Cells in Humanized Mouse Models and Cell Therapy Innovation Scientists in the late 1980’s discovered that umbilical cord blood derived stem cells had high proliferative potential and tolerated cryopreservation and thawing (Broxmeyer, 1989). Building on this research, the first report of cord blood derived CD34+ human…
For More InformationBuffy Coat vs. Leukapheresis: Choosing the Right Cell Source for Your Research
By: Joanna Wirkus Choosing Between Buffy Coat and Leukapheresis: A Guide for Scientists When your research hinges on high-quality, primary immune cells, starting with the right biological material can make or break your experiment. One of the most common questions we hear from scientists is: Should I use buffy coat- or leukapheresis-derived cells? The answer…
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