Which technique can be used to elute antibodies from red blood cells?

Freezing and thawing is an effective technique for eluting antibodies from red blood cells because it involves subjecting the red blood cells to rapid temperature changes. This process can disrupt the interaction between the antibodies and the antigens on the surface of the red blood cells. When the cells are frozen, ice crystals form, which can puncture the cell membranes. Upon thawing, the cells may lyse, releasing the antibodies into the surrounding solution.

This method is commonly used in immunology for studying antibody characteristics and is particularly relevant in blood banking and serology to maximize the recovery of antibodies for further testing.

In contrast, while boiling and cooling might denature proteins, it may not be specifically effective for eluting antibodies as the extreme temperatures could damage the antibodies themselves. Filtration is generally used for separating particles based on size and would not effectively elute antibodies from cells. Electrophoresis is a technique for separating molecules based on their charge and size, and while it can separate antibodies, it does not specifically function to elute them from red blood cells. Thus, the freezing and thawing method stands out as the most appropriate choice for eluting antibodies from red blood cells.