monoclonal antibodies

monoclonal antibody?

antibodies with the same tertiary structure

produced via identical B/plasma cells

uses of monoclonal antibodies in medical treatments?

• MA has specific tertiary structure complimentary to antigen on specific cell type

• drug attached to antibody

• antibody binds to specific cell forming antibody-antigen complex, delivering drug

some used to block antigens on cells

uses of monoclonal antibodies in medical diagnosis?

• MA has specific tertiary structure complimentary to receptor associated w/ diagnosis

• dye/stain attached to antibody

• antibody binds to receptor if present, forming antigen-antibody complex

role of antibodies in a positive direct ELISA test?

• sample w/ potential antigen added to well

• complimentary MA w/ enzymes added → if antigens present, will bind

• wash well → remove unbound antibodies + prevent false positive

• add substrate → enzymes will create products that cause colour change

role of antibodies in a positive sandwich ELISA test?

• add specific/cpmplimentary MA to well first, then continue with normal direct ELISA test

role of antibodies in a positive indirect ELISA test?

• add specific antigens to well

• add sample w/ potential antibodies + wash well

• add complimentary MA w/ enzymes attached -, will bind to antibodies if present

• wash well

• add substrate → enzymes will create products allowing for colour change

purpose of having a control well during the ELISA test?

• compare to test to show only enzyme causes colour change

• compare to test to show all unbound antibodies have been washed away

why may poor washing of well lead to a false positive?

antibody w/ enzyme remains

substrate converts it into colour product

ethical issues with vaccines + MA?

• mistreatment of animals → however, not killed + helps reduce human suffering via new drugs

• human clinical trials - side effects

• drugs: potential dangerous side effects

things to cinder when evaluating methodology relating to vaccines/MA?

• large sample → representative

• diverse sample → age, sex, ethnicity

• pacebo/control group for comparison

• long study → see long term effects

• double blind trial to to reduce bias

things to consider when evaluating evidence + data relating to vaccines/MA?

• side affects observed + frequency

• statistical test to see if there was a sig. dif. between start + final results

• SD large → shows some did not benefit

• SD at start + end overlap → may not be a sig. difference

• consider optimum dosage → does increasing dosage increase effectiveness enough to increase cost of vaccine/MA

• cost of production + is distribution low/high?