Drug Testing MABS

Question 1

What are monoclonal antibodies

Answer 1

Antibodies that are produced from a single clone of cells consisting of identical anti body molecules

The antibodies are specific to one binding site on one protein antigen and so are able to target a specific chemical or cell in the body

Question 2

How are monoclonal antibodies formed

Answer 2

Inject the specific antigen into the subject

The rats own B lymphocytes will start to produce antibodies

These lymphocytes are removed and fused with tumour cells .

This resulting hybridoma cell can divide rapidly and produce the specific anti body .

Question 3

Uses of mono clonal antibodies

Answer 3

Pregnancy tests

Diagnose of disease

To locate a specific molecule in a cell by binding them to a fluorescent dye

Treating cancer patients by coating them in a radioactive substance and sending them to specifically target cancer cells . Causing no harm to normal cells

Question 4

Stages of drug trials

Answer 4

Pre clinical trials- drugs are tested on cells , tissue and live animals

Phase1- drug is tested on healthy volunteers

Phase2- drug is tested on those who actually need it

Phase3- large numbers of patients are tested on . Some are given the drug and others a placebo. Done to verify the effectiveness of the drug and the correct dosage to use of patients

Question 5

What is a double blind trial

Answer 5

Some patients are given a fake drug (placebo) neither they or the doctor knows if this is the real drug . This is to remove bias . At the end of the trial the scientist will compare the data