Generating Antibodies and Aptamers

These flashcards summarize key concepts related to generating antibodies and aptamers as discussed in the lecture.

What is a biomarker?

A measurable indicator of a biological state or condition, which may be chemical, physical, or biological.

What are the types of biomarkers?

Diagnostic, Monitoring, Pharmacodynamic, Predictive, Prognostic, Safety, and Risk.

What is a biosensor?

A device that converts a biological response into a measurable signal.

What is an antibody?

'Y'-shaped protein complex involved in the immune response that binds specifically to an antigen.

What are the two types of antibodies?

Polyclonal and Monoclonal antibodies.

What is the significance of IgG antibodies?

IgG is the most abundant class of immunoglobulin with four subclasses (IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4).

How are monoclonal antibodies produced?

They are produced in vitro, often through methods like phage display, ensuring they bind to the same epitope with the same affinity.

What is an aptamer?

Single stranded DNA (ssDNA) that binds specifically to a target with high affinity and is about 30 base pairs in length.

What is the purpose of Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential enrichment (SELEX)?

To enhance selectivity and affinity of aptamers through repeated cycles of screening.

What is the difference between antibodies and aptamers in terms of production?

Antibodies are produced using animals or cell cultures; aptamers are synthesized using solid-phase or PCR methods.

What is the stability difference between antibodies and aptamers?

Antibodies have moderate stability and are sensitive to denaturation, whereas aptamers are highly stable and resistant to pH or temperature.

What applications utilize antibodies and aptamers?

Can be used in diagnostic lateral flow strips, fluorescent assays, surface plasmon resonance, and imaging techniques.

What is the role of nanoparticles in aptamer detection?

Gold nanoparticles' color varies with size and can be used in detection systems to signal the presence of a target molecule.

What are NIR-nanoshells used for?

Conjugation to antibodies for cancer imaging applications.

Summarize the key roles of antibodies and aptamers in detection.

Both bind with high specificity and affinity to target analytes and can be coupled to sensors for detection.