Antibody Modelling Kit

It is our immune system that keeps us from getting sick. Central to our immune response are proteins known as antibodies. These Y-shaped molecules are custom made by special cells in the body (B-cells) to bind to specific antigens (another name for molecules the immune system recognizes), especially of bacteria and viruses. By binding, antibodies can often neutralize these pathogens and make them easier to find and destroy by our immune cells.

This kit is designed to model the interaction between antibody (also known as immunoglobulin G, or IgG) and antigen (Ag). By inserting magnets, you can stick your models to a magnetic white board, or best of all, simulate antibody binding by floating your models on water.

The models do require some carefully placed magnets (3mm diameter x 1mm height cylindrical neodymium magnets) which you can order in the usual places.

By using the immunoglobulin adapter pieces we can turn the IgG antibody to the IgA (2-fold) and IgM (5-fold) antibody types, or use them with the antigen pieces to build small 'viruses'. (Obviously not to scale!)

This is still very much a work in progress, but hopefully illustrates dynamically some of the basic principles in immune system biology. I am very open to comments and suggestions to improve the model!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qm57pt_rR68&feature=youtu.be