Antibodies are not only important when you are sick but they are also essential tools in all domains of life science research. Assumed to specifically bind their target protein, antibodies are used to identify and quantify numerous research targets. Whole clinical trials and therapies are based on findings stemming from antibody usage. Yet these antibodies have recently been show to exhibit an insufficient specificity (and sometimes even specifically bind to the wrong protein!).
In this recent article for Massive Science, I explore the pitfalls of using poor-quality antibodies in research, consequences resulting from this as well as why we ended up with this situation in the first place.
Update: My article was republished by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) which shares my conviction that this is a crucial topics which requires our attention!
Engineering Life 