Quantitative Computerized Western Blotting in Detail

The analysis of antibody reactivity against multiple antigens separated according to their molecular weights is facilitated by western blotting. The distinction between immune dominant and recessive antigens is often difficult and carried out by qualitative or empirical means. Quantitative computerized western blotting (QCWB) analyzes reactivity to specific antigens by providing a statistically measurable value for each band allowing differentiation between immunodominant and immunorecessive determinants. QCWB is useful for both single time point analysis and longitudinal studies where multiple time points are evaluated and the relativities against individual bands compared. This technique can be employed to study humoral responses to complex antigenic mixtures such as allergens and infectious agents, or identify serologic markers for early diagnosis of cancer, autoimmune or infectious diseases, or to monitor patient's clinical status.