The detection of islet autoreactive T cells has been a key componnet in research work on the immunology of diabetes. Cytokine assays are used to determine how T cells respond in such circumstances. Indeed, such assays play a key role in immunology research in general, and are frequently used in the development of vaccines for diseases such as SARS, HIV infection, and the West Nile virus.
Subsequent entries will focus on various assay types, such as the ELISA and ELISPOT assays. In addition, there will be some discussion of the various instruments and technologies which are used to conduct these assays, to automate the procedures involved, and to reduce or remove subjectivity from the evaluation of their results.
