Further work concentrated on characterizing the structures of the antibody proteins.
Immunoglobulin D, an antibody protein involved in the maturation of B cells.
Edelman's early research on the structure of antibody proteins revealed that disulfide bonds link together the protein subunits.
Using experimental data from his own research and the work of others, Edelman developed molecular models of antibody proteins.
Dr. Dart and others are attempting to develop new antibody proteins that counter the effects of snake venom.
The plasma cells also make an antibody protein, called M protein, that is not needed by the body and does not help fight infection.
These antibody proteins build up in the bone marrow and can cause the blood to thicken or can damage the kidneys.
In attacking a pathogen, the immune system generates many different antibody proteins, each able to fix onto a small region of the enemy.
As the B cells proliferate, they release a glut of all-purpose antibody proteins able to start neutralizing microbes.
At the same time they activate the rearranged DNA so that large quantities of antibody protein are produced from it.