A comprehensive and up-to-date set of basic and advanced methods that illuminates the principles of molecular diagnostics and allows researchers to establish assay systems tailored to their specific needs. This unique collection has been thoroughly updated and expanded and covers the latest strategies for identifying novel diagnostic markers, epitope mapping, and the production and purification of recombinant antigens and their use as diagnostic reagents in immunological assays. This new edition places significant emphasis on bioinformatics and proteomics and the characterization and modification of proteins. It also includes promising techniques based on recent developments in antibody engineering and on the use of biosensors. Rather than focusing on particular infectious agents, this book focuses on the techniques that can be used and tailored to accomplish any kind of molecular diagnostic application in the clinical laboratory, thus making it an essential book for all laboratory disagnosticians.