Monoclonal Antibody
Contents
Key Stage 4 Higher
Meaning
A monoclonal antibody is an antibody produced from a group of cloned cells made in a laboratory.
About Monoclonal Antibodies
- Monoclonal antibodies are often made from a type of cell made by scientists called a hybridoma.
- Monoclonal antibodies are made by taking a lymphocyte, which has been made to produce a particular antibody, and combining it with a cell from a tumour, which rapidly reproduces. This makes a new cell called a hybridoma which reproduces rapidly and produces the antibody. Since the hybridoma cells are all clones of one original cell it is named a monoclonal antibody.
- Antibodies attach themselves to chemicals known as antigens which are proteins found on the surfaces of different pathogens or other cells.
Applications of Monoclonal Antibodies
Treating Disease
- Specific monoclonal antibodies which bind to the antigens of a chosen cell (usually a pathogen) can be used to damage or destroy the pathogen.
- The monoclonal antibody can be used to tag a cell to alert the phagocytes to engulf and destroy it.
- Monoclonal antibodies may have a toxic or radioactive part which can kill the cell that it binds to.
- Monoclonal antibodies can be made which bind to receptor sites for growth hormones, blocking that hormone from binding to the site and so slowing down the rate of reproduction of the cell.
Diagnosing Disease
- Each pathogen has unique antigens on their surface.
- A monoclonal antibody can be produced which have a chemical marker that will bind to the pathogen making it easier to locate and identify it.
Tracking Tumours
- A monoclonal antibody can be made which binds to tumour cells.
- The monoclonal antibody may have a chemical or radioactive marker which can be used to help determine the size of a tumour and if it has spread.
Pregnancy Tests
- When a female is pregnant certain hormones are released into the blood stream and traces can be found in her urine.
- Monoclonal antibodies can be made which bind to the hormone causing a chemical change that results in a colour change on a pregnancy test.
References
Edexcel
- Monoclonal antibodies, pages 120-121, GCSE Biology, Pearson, Edexcel
- Monoclonal antibodies, pages 169-172, GCSE Biology, CGP, Edexcel
- Monoclonal antibodies, pages 60, 61, GCSE Biology; The Revision Guide, CGP, Edexcel