What are monoclonal antibodies used for?

Monoclonal antibodies are specifically designed proteins that can bind to particular antigens, which are substances that the immune system recognizes as foreign or harmful. This binding ability makes them incredibly useful in various medical applications, especially in the treatment of diseases like cancer. By attaching to targeted cells or proteins, monoclonal antibodies can either help to destroy those cells directly or block their function, thus providing a means of disease treatment that is both highly specific and effective.

In contrast, enhancing crop yield involves agricultural biotechnology techniques that are unrelated to the specific binding capabilities of monoclonal antibodies. Infecting pathogens to study diseases pertains more to traditional microbiological techniques rather than the targeted therapeutic approach of monoclonal antibodies. Conserving genetic diversity relates to biodiversity and genetic resources, which does not directly involve the use of monoclonal antibodies. Hence, the primary role of monoclonal antibodies in binding to specific targets for treatments underscores their significance in modern medical therapies and diagnostics.