Epitope Mapping

Epitope mapping is the process of identifying the parts of an antigen (molecule or substance that triggers an immune response) that are recognized by antibodies. It is important because it helps researchers to understand how the immune system works and how to design treatments. For instance, understanding the epitope on an antigen can be useful to develop vaccines, diagnose and treat diseases, assess immune responses, and design therapeutics. In addition, this process has been utilized to understand the molecular basis of immunological diseases, and the structure and function of antigens.