Monoclonal antibodies

• Monoclonal antibodies uses in medicine

  Targeting medication to specific cell types by attaching a therapeutic drug to an antibody

  Pregnancy testing

  Medical diagnosis
• Radioimmunotherapy

  Link radioactive antibodies to monochlonal antibodies that deliver radioactivity by seeking out and latching onto proteins found in cancer cells
• Pregnancy tests

  Antigens complimentary to hCG protein are bound to a coloured bead

  hCG in urine bind to antibodies

  Immobilised antibodies which bind to hCG create the first blue line

  Immobilised antibodies which bind to coloured beads create second blue line if hCG is present
• Direct ELISA tests - Involves one antibody binding to an antigen

  Indirect ELISA tests - Multiple antibodies
• Positive of indirect ELISA tests

  More sensitive than direct ELISA tests
• Negative of ELISA tests

  Risk of cross reactivity with the antigen which could cause higher background readings

  Can take longer due to extra step
• Indirect ELISA test steps

  1. Antigens are immobilised and sample being checked for antibodies is attached
  2. A wash step occurs before second antibody is added which will bind to the antibodies attached to the antigen if present
  3. This antibody has the enzyme bound that will change colour