Monoclonal Antibodies 3.1.6. The use of monoclonal antibodies in enabling the targeting of specific substances and cells. Starter: Write down everything you know about antibodies

Antibodies Y

Monoclonal Antibodies Combining a B cell that can recognize a particular antigen and a long-lived myeloma cell makes the resulting hybridoma cell a long-lasting, antibody-making factory. Because the antibodies made are all identical clones made from a single (mono) hybridoma cell, they are called monoclonal antibodies

Targeting specific substances – pregnancy test hCG: hormone produced by embryo Antibodies bound to a coloured dye (beads) If hCG present, binds to form an a-a complex Carries dye with it, so strip turns blue If no hCG, no a-a complex forms, so strip stays same

Targeting specific cells - cancer treatment Monoclonal antibodies can be used to treat cancer two ways: Triggering the body’s immune system to attack the cancer cell and can cause the cell to kill itself Attaching a cancer drug to the antibody