ERIC Number: EJ1478279
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025-Jul
Pages: 8
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1470-8175
EISSN: EISSN-1539-3429
Available Date: 2025-05-28
Developing Tools for Learning Immunology Using Diffusion-Based Salt Precipitation Assays: A Low-Cost Alternative for College Laboratories
Abhay Pal1; Subhojit Sen1
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education, v53 n4 p336-343 2025
The Ouchterlony double immunodiffusion technique is used as a teaching tool for studying immune responses and exemplifying differences in antigen-antibody reactions. Although commonplace in undergraduate labs, standardized commercial kits limit learning experiences because they have fixed modalities of use, a low shelf-life, and impose budgetary constraints in the long-term, collectively posing an economic challenge. To mitigate these problems, this study attempts to simulate various types of 'antigen-antibody' reactions using combinations of Mg, Mn, Cu and Ag salts that form a precipitate with BaSO4. Using an optimized format of thin agar plates, different salts precipitation reactions were monitored over a time course of "immunodiffusion". These reactions were demonstrably versatile towards simulating (i) quantitation of differential titer among antibodies, (ii) determining serological-identity versus non-identity, (iii) quantitative demonstration of the prozone phenomenon, and finally; (iv) using double precipitin reactions to simulate combinations of antibodies in the same sample. As part of a laboratory exercise, these parameters were used to design an open-ended query aimed to check the effectiveness of student engagement and learning outcomes. Undergraduate students were able to conduct the experiment in a shorter time frame, and interpreted their observations in a multidimensional manner. This allowed teachers to add to the discussion leading to an efficient model of collaborative learning. The salt-precipitation format of "immunodiffusion" is thus not only economical and quick, but allows for flexibility to simulate problems that are of immediate relevance.
Descriptors: Immunization Programs, College Science, Science Laboratories, Cost Effectiveness, Science Education, Science Instruction, Teaching Methods, Chemistry, Scientific Concepts, Laboratory Equipment, Laboratory Experiments, Simulation
Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: 1UM-DAE Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Mumbai Kalina Campus, Mumbai, India