What is panning biology?

Panning in biology is a screening technique used to isolate specific cells or molecules from a complex mixture. It involves the use of antibodies that recognize and bind specific targets, followed by a series of washes to remove unwanted material. The remaining cells or molecules that are bound to the antibody are then collected and analyzed.

Panning can be used for a variety of applications in biology, including the isolation of rare cells, such as stem cells or circulating tumor cells, as well as the detection and analysis of antigens, proteins, and other biomolecules. It is commonly used in research settings to study cell biology, immunology, and cancer biology, among other fields.

There are three basic steps to panning: coating the surface of a plate or tube with the target antigen; incubating a mixture of cells or molecules with the coated surface; and then eluting the bound targets. This process can be further refined and optimized to increase the specificity and sensitivity of the assay. Panning is a powerful tool for bioanalysis and biotechnology, and advances in technology continue to expand its use in research and clinical applications.