Uses of monoclonal antibodies

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uses of monoclonal antibodies
In pregnancy tests
to detect pathogens in blood
to measure the levels of hormones and other chemicals in blood
to locate specific molecules in cells or tissues
to treat some diseases e.g cancer
To locate a specific molecule in cells or tissues, monoclonal antibodies are made to target the molecule and a fluorescent dye is bound to them.
The antibodies will bind to the molecule if it’s present in cells or tissues and the dye shows where the molecule is found.
monoclonal antibodies can be made to target cancer cells.
The antibodies are then bound to a drug - a radioactive or toxic substance, or a chemical that stops cancer cells growing and dividing
The antibodies bind to cancer cells to deliver the drug in a targeted way, without harming other body cells.
Disadvantages of monoclonal antibodies
They have side effects
they’re expensive to make
These disadvantages mean monoclonal antibodies aren’t as widely-used as first hoped