Monoclonal antibodies

• Label the process of monoclonal antibody production

  A) hybridoma

  B) tumour cell

  C) B-lympocyte

  D) antigen

  
• • Monoclonal antibodies are antibodies that are made by identical immune cells, these identical immune cells are clones of the parent cell
  • Antibodies are Y shaped proteins made by lymphocytes
  • The antibodies are specific to one binding site on one protein antigen and so are able to target a specific chemical or specific cells in the body
• Tumour cells divide rapidly
• • Monoclonal antibodies have a variety of uses. Some examples include:
  • In pregnancy tests
  • In laboratories to measure the levels of hormones and other chemicals in blood (such as some cancer proteins), or to detect pathogens
  • In research to locate or identify specific molecules in a cell or tissue by binding to them with a fluorescent dye
  • To treat some diseases: for cancer the monoclonal antibody can be bound to a radioactive substance, a toxic drug or a chemical which stops cells growing and dividing. It delivers the substance to the cancer cells without harming other cells in the body
• Monoclonal Antibodies


  Molecules that can be used to target a specific cell or chemical in the body
• HCG


  Hormone found in urine of pregnant women
• Pregnancy testing sticks detect the HCG hormone
• Uses of Monoclonal Antibodies in Laboratories and Research

  • Bind to hormones and other chemicals to measure levels
  • Test blood samples for pathogens
  • Locate specific molecules on cells or in tissues by binding fluorescent dye
• Monoclonal antibodies do cause more side effects than originally expected, such as fever, vomiting and low blood pressure
• Monoclonal antibodies are not as widely used as treatments as scientists had originally thought they might be
• • Where urinate has antibodies attached to blue beads
  • Antibodies are stuck to test strip
  • Urine moves up stick carrying blue beads and possibly HCG
  • If pregnant, hormone HCG binds to antibodies on the test strip as do the blue beads which are attached
  • Blue beads get stuck and 2 lines are shown

  How monoclonal antibodies are used to detect HCG