title: Functional antibody assays.
abstract: Functional antibody assays can broadly be divided into three categories: neutralisation, serum bactericidal antibody (SBA) and opsonophagocytic assays (OPA). These biological assays are generally more complex than antibody-binding counterparts. They invariably involve multiple biological components, many of which are difficult or impossible to standardise. The aim of this chapter is to provide working examples of these assays and highlight the key issues to be addressed to ensure they are able to provide reliable data.
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Biological Standards and Controls, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, UK.
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Feavers
authors.forename: Barry
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Walker
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D002460:Cell Line; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D003584:Cytological Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay / Q000379:methods*; D010586:Phagocytes
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies