Monoclonal antibodies Flashcards
what are monoclonal antibodies
monoclonal antibodies are antibodies that are made by identical immune cells, these identical immune cells are clones of the parent cell
Define antibodies
Antibodies are Y shaped proteins made by lymphocytes
explain the role of antibodies
Antibodies are specific to one binding site on one protein antigen
so are able to target a specific chemical or special cells in the body
how are monoclonal antibodies produced
they are produced by stimulating mouse lymphocytes to make a particular antibody by exposing them to an antigen
how does the particular antibody multiply
the antigen is injected into a mouse and the antibodies are combined with a tumour cell to make clones of the antibody
Explain how lymphocytes are used during the production of monoclonal antibodies
the lymphocytes are combined with a particular type of tumor cell to make a hybridoma cell
why are tumour cells used to create monoclonal antibodies
tumour cells can divide repeatedly
what can the hybridoma cell do
the hybridoma cell can both divide and produce the antibody
what happens to single hybridoma cells
single hybridoma cells are cloned resulting in many divisions,
making high quantities of identical cells that all produce the same antibody
what happens to the large amount of antibody
a large amount of the antibody can be collected and purified ready for use
steps to create monoclonal antibodies
Thelymphocytesare combined with a particular type oftumour cellto make ahybridoma cell
Thehybridomacell can both divide and produce the antibody
Single hybridoma cells are cloned, resulting in many divisions, making high quantities ofidentical cells that all produce thesame antibody
A large amount of the antibody can be collected and purified ready for use
what can the cloned antibodies be for
the cloned antibodies that are produced can be to a specific protein on the cell or a particular chemical
what are the uses of monoclonal antibodies
pregnancy test
diagnosis of disease
measuring and monitoring
research
Treating disease
How does a pregnancy test work with Monoclonal antibodies
the monoclonal antibodies are specific to a hormone produced in pregancy called Human Chorionic gonadotropin (HCG).
They will bind to the hormone if present and produce a colour change
what are the four components of a pregnancy test
result window
sample pad
control window
reaction zone
what happens at the result window of a pregnancy test
Non-mobile
HCG specific antibodies are found here
what happens at the sample pad of a pregnancy test
this part is dipped in urine
what happens at the reaction zone of a pregnancy test
HCG specific antibodies are here. they are mobile and contain a blue dye
what happens at the control window
Non-mobile antibodies complementary to the reaction zone antibodies
how are monoclonal antibodies used for diagnosis of disease
the monoclonal antibodies are specific to antigens found on the surface of pathogens, blood clot or cancer cells.
they also contain markers to help the doctors to find the location of them.
it is used in the test for prostate cancer
how are monoclonal antibodies used for research #
Monoclonal antibodies with a fluorescent dye attached can be used by scientists to detect specific molecules in a cell or tissue
describe three ways monoclonal antibodies can be used for treating disease
- use of monoclonal antibodies to trigger immune cells to destroy them
- using monoclonal antibodies to block receptors, which stops them growing and dividing
- monoclonal antibodies can carry toxic drugs, or radioactive substances for radiotherapy, to the site of the tumour
- advantages of monoclonal antibodies
they only bind to molecules on diseased or damaged cells
highly specific so can be produced to treat a range of conditions Hoped to be a cheaper procedure and a tried and tested method of treating conditions
- disadvantages of monoclonal antibodies
it is an expensive process at the moment
has many side effects producing specific antibodies is proving to be more difficult than expected
