Chemical Studies on Bacterial Agglutination: III. A Reaction Mechanism and a Quantitative Theory

Chemical Studies on Bacterial Agglutination: III. A Reaction Mechanism and a Quantitative Theory

Contributor(s):
Heidelberger, Michael
Journal of Experimental Medicine
Kabat, Elvin Abraham, 1914-2000
Publication:
Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research, June 1937
Language(s):
English
Format:
Text
Subject(s):
Agglutination
Genre(s):
Archival Materials
Articles
Abstract:
In this article, Heidelberger and Kabat continued their work to unravel the chemical processes of bacterial agglutination, the clumping together of antigen-bearing cells in the presence of antibodies called agglutinins. Here, they laid out a quantitative theory based on equations derived from the law of mass action that effectively showed that agglutination is analogous to the precipitin reaction. Their conclusion that agglutinins were not a distinct group of antibodies, but rather that agglutination and precipitation were separate functions of the same antibodies, overturned established conceptions of the agglutination process that had placed emphasis on the role of electrolytes and physical force.
Copyright:
This item may be under copyright protection; contact the copyright owner for permission before re-use.
Extent:
18 pages
NLM Unique ID:
101584940X25 (See in Profiles in Science)
Profiles in Science ID:
DHBBCF
Permanent Link:
http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/101584940X25
Archival Collection:
The Michael Heidelberger Papers (Profiles in Science)