What role do antibodies play in biotechnology?

Antibodies play a crucial role in biotechnology primarily because they are highly specific proteins that can recognize and bind to particular antigens, such as proteins, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids. This property makes them invaluable for detecting and quantifying substances within complex mixtures. For instance, in applications like enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), antibodies are used to identify specific analytes, allowing for the measurement of the concentration of various substances, including hormones, pathogens, and biomarkers in research and clinical diagnostics.

In contrast to other roles mentioned, such as growing new tissues, serving as genetic markers, or separating proteins, the primary utility of antibodies lies in their capacity for detection and quantification. Their specificity allows for precise identification, which is fundamental in a plethora of biotechnological processes, including vaccine development, therapeutic antibody production, and various forms of molecular diagnostics.