Various laboratory techniques exist that rely on the use of antibodies to visualize components of microorganisms or other cell types and to distinguish one cell or organism type from another.

Electrophoresis is a technique whereby the protein or carbohydrate components of microorganisms can be separated based upon their migration through a gel support under the driving influence of electricity. Depending upon the composition of the gel, separation can be based on the net charge of the components or on their size. Once the components are separated, they can be distinguished immunologically. This application is termed immunoelectrophoresis.

Immunoelectrophoresis relies upon the exposure of the separated components in the gel to a solution that contains an antibody that has been produced to one of the separated proteins. Typically, the antibody is generated by the injection of the purified protein into an animal such as...