Antibodies

Cards (9)

  • used in medical diagnoses and drug development
  • Monoclonal antibodies:
    • identical in structure
    • specific
    • can make them bind to anything you want
  • Monoclonal antibodies can bind to tumour markers (antigens on cancer cells) and deliver anti-cancer drugs to the specific cells instead of all round the body
  • Monoclonal antibodies are used in pregnancy tests
  • Used in ELISA tests
  • Direct ELISA test- uses a single antibody that is complimentary to the antigen you are testing for
  • Indirect ELISA test- uses two different antibodies
  • ELISA test:
    • antigens in a well
    • add bodily fluid (if antibodies are present, they'll bind to the antigen)
    • Monoclonal antibody is added, which binds to the human antibody
    • Substrate is added and changes to a coloured product by the enzyme
  • Herceptin monoclonal antibodies can be used to prevent the growth and division of breast cancer