| Lesson Plan |
| Grade: Year 12 (A‑Level) |
Date: 25/02/2026 |
| Subject: Biology |
| Lesson Topic: outline the principles of using monoclonal antibodies in the diagnosis of disease and in the treatment of disease |
Learning Objective/s:
- Describe how hybridoma technology generates monoclonal antibodies.
- Explain why specificity, sensitivity and reproducibility are critical for diagnostic use of mAbs.
- Compare the main diagnostic formats that employ mAbs (ELISA, lateral‑flow, IHC, flow cytometry).
- Outline the therapeutic mechanisms of monoclonal antibodies (neutralisation, receptor blockade, cytotoxicity, drug conjugates).
- Evaluate key considerations for therapeutic mAbs such as humanisation, pharmacokinetics, safety and resistance.
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Materials Needed:
- Projector and screen
- PowerPoint slides with diagrams of hybridoma production and assay formats
- Printed handouts summarising diagnostic and therapeutic mAb examples
- Mock ELISA kit (images only) for classroom demonstration
- Worksheet with case‑study scenarios
- Interactive quiz platform (Kahoot/Clickers)
- Whiteboard and markers
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Introduction:
Begin with a brief video clip showing a rapid COVID‑19 antibody test to capture interest. Ask students to recall how antibodies recognise antigens and why this is useful in medicine. Explain that by the end of the lesson they will be able to identify the principles that make monoclonal antibodies powerful tools for both diagnosis and treatment.
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Lesson Structure:
- Do‑now (5') – Quick recall quiz on antibody structure and function.
- Mini‑lecture (10') – Hybridoma technique and the concepts of specificity, sensitivity and reproducibility.
- Interactive demo (15') – Walk through an ELISA diagram; students label capture and detection antibodies and discuss labelling options.
- Group activity (15') – Case‑study worksheets: choose the most suitable mAb‑based diagnostic format for a given disease and justify the choice.
- Therapeutic focus (10') – Short video on monoclonal antibody therapies followed by a discussion of neutralisation, receptor blockade, ADCC/CDC and drug‑conjugates.
- Formative check (5') – Exit ticket: list two diagnostic principles and two therapeutic mechanisms covered today.
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Conclusion:
Summarise how monoclonal antibodies combine high specificity with versatile labelling to serve both diagnostic and therapeutic roles. Collect the exit tickets to gauge understanding and address any lingering misconceptions. For homework, assign a short article on a recent therapeutic mAb and ask students to write a one‑paragraph summary of its target, mechanism and clinical relevance.
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