Amino Acids
The building blocks of proteins. The unique sequence of amino acids in a chain defines the character of a protein molecule.
Angiogenesis
The process by which the body forms and develops new blood vessels. Angiogenesis can be both beneficial and harmful; while it can be used to stimulate development of new blood vessels to fight clogged arteries, it also allows malignant tumors to increase in size. Angiogenesis is a key area of cancer research.
Antibody
A component of the body’s immune response. A Y-shaped protein, it is secreted in response to an antigenic stimulus. It neutralizes the antigen by binding to it.
Antigen
Any substance, almost always a protein, not normally present in the body that when introduced to the body stimulates a specific immune response and the production of antibodies.
Apoptosis
The process of programmed cell death that may occur in multicellular organisms. Programmed cell death involves a series of biochemical events leading to characteristic cell changes and death. Apoptosis is a key area of cancer research.
Aseptic
Describes a product or method free of microbiological organisms that would lead to contamination.
Assay
A test procedure whereby a property or concentration of a substance is measured.
Autoimmune Disorders
Diseases whereby an individual’s immune system mounts an attack on a portion of its own tissues. Tissues undergoing such an attack can be destroyed in the process.