Immunochemical Recognition and its Diagnostic and Therapeutic Applications.

The October 2014 issue of Pure and Applied Chemistry includes several papers arising from an IUPAC project on immunochemistry that describe interactions between molecules of the immune system and their ligands [1,2] and consider how a knowledge of this chemistry is furthering the development of both the analytical applications of immune-based sensors [3], and of better therapies for a variety of human medical conditions [4]. Each paper is structured to provide some historical context, followed by a critical presentation of our current perspective on the role chemistry is playing in the basic understanding of the immune system and its potential for exploitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]