Monoclonal Antibodies Flashcards
What is a hypridoma?
Cells created during the production of mono clinal antibodies by the fusion of an antibody specific lymphocyte and a tumour cell
What are the uses of monoclonal antibodies?
Pregnancy tests
Diagnosis of disease
Measuring and monitoring
Research
Treatment of disease
How do monoclonal antibodies work in pregnancy tests?
Bind to hormone HCG made during pregnant if it is present in urine
If present, it produce colour change to show positive
How do monoclonal antibodies diagnose disease?
Bind to specific antigens
May carry markers
Allow doctors to detect problem before it becomes too serious
How do monoclonal antibodies work in measuring and monitoring?
Measure levels of hormones and chemicals in blood
How do monoclonal antibodies work in research?
Locate specific molecule in cells or tissue
Monoclonal antibodies produced are linked to a molecule of fluorescent dye
Scientist can observe what happens by finding a build up of fluorescence
How do monoclonal antibodies treat diseases?
Trigger immune system by making cancer cells more noticeable
May bind to receptor on cancer cells, remove stimulus and divide
Carry drugs or radioactive therapies to cancer cells
What does a clone mean?
A genetically identical plant or animal made from another, through asexual reproduction
What is a monoclonal antibody?
A antibody produced from a single clone of cells, specific to one binding site on a specific protein antigen
Advantages of monoclonal antibodies?
Only bind to specific diseases or damaged cells
No effect on healthy cells
Could treat a wide range of diseases as they are very specific
Could become cheaper to develop
Disadvantages of monoclonal antibodies?
Expensive to develop
Not widely used (wasted?)
Created more sides effects than expected
Triggered immune response in humans which held back research
It it very difficult to develop
