BioCentury
ARTICLE | Tools & Techniques

Sequencing single B cells

February 7, 2013 8:00 AM UTC

Researchers from The University of Texas at Austin have developed a high throughput method for sequencing individual B cell immunoglobulin receptors that keeps the link between their paired heavy and light variable chains intact.1 The technique increases the efficiency of identifying disease biomarkers and designing therapeutic antibodies but requires modifications to increase throughput and accuracy.

B cell receptors help the immune system detect antigens and trigger antibody production. An individual harbors a repertoire of B cell receptors specific to a range of antigens to which the person has been previously exposed. Sequencing each B cell receptor, which consists of a variable heavy (VH) and a variable light (VL) chain, in a patient could be useful for generating therapeutic vaccines and antibodies as well as for designing disease diagnostics...