Monoclonal Antibodies Flashcards
How do monoclonal antibodies work in pregnancy tests
Monoclonal antibodies in pregnancy tests work by detecting the presence of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which is produced during pregnancy. The test strip contains monoclonal antibodies that are specific to hCG. When urine is applied to the test, if hCG is present, it binds to these antibodies. The antibodies are linked to a coloured marker, which moves along the test strip.
In the test region, the hCG-antibody complex binds to further monoclonal antibodies that are immobilized on the strip, causing a visible coloured line to form. This indicates a positive result, meaning the woman is pregnant. A control region contains antibodies that bind to any excess monoclonal antibodies, ensuring the test is working correctly by displaying a second coloured line.
If no hCG is present in the urine, no coloured line forms in the test region, giving a negative result. This process is highly specific, as the antibodies only bind to hCG, ensuring accurate detection.
What is a monoclonal antibody
Antibodies with the same 3D structure artificially produced from a single clone of plasma cells
A monoclonal antibody is a single type of antibody that can be isolated and cloned
What are the uses of monoclonal antibodies
-medical treatment - targeting medication to specific cell types by attaching a drug to the antibody
Medical treatment in cancer cells
Cancer cells have antigens called tumour markers which aren’t found on body cells
Specific monoclonal antibodies can bind to tumour markers
Ani-cancer cells can be attached onto the specific antibodies
Drugs will only destroy the tumour cells reducing side affects
Bullet drugs
How are monoclonal antibodies made
A mouse is vaccinated with the pathogen so create antibodies
The memory cells - plasma cells that produce antibodies are collected from the mouse
They are fused with a tumour cell called myeloma cells
This forms a hybridoma cell
These grow in the lab
Antibodies are then collected
How does the Elisa test work
1.Add the test sample to the base of the beaker
Wash the unbound sample
2.add antibodies complementary to the antigen
Wash the unbound antibodies
3.add the second lot of antibodies complementary to the first lot of antibodies. This has an enzyme attached to it
Wash to remove unattached enzyme
4. Add substrate to the colourless solution . If enzymes are present it forms enzyme substrate complex which breaks down the enzyme and produces a colour
Why can using monoclonal antibodies be unethical
Creating monoclonal antibodies requires mice to produce the antibodies and tumour cells, which leads to ethical debates as to whether this use of animals is justified to enable the better treatment of cancers in humans and to detect disease
