Available online
Description
This programme examines the genetics of antibody formation, the generation of antibody diversity and the role of T-cells in cell mediated immunity.
This programme examines the genetics of antibody formation, the generation of antibody diversity and the role of T-cells in cell mediated immunity.
| Module code and title: | S322, Biochemistry and molecular biology |
|---|---|
| Item code: | S322; 15 |
| First transmission date: | 29-09-1977 |
| Published: | 1977 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:24:27 |
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| Producer: | James Burge |
| Contributors: | Niels Jerne; Avrion Mitchison; Martin Raff; Hans Wigzell; Richard Gershon |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Antibody; Genetics; T-cells |
| Footage description: | Niels Jerne and Martin Raff introduce the programme. Martin Raff, using still graphics and animated diagrams, explains how the immunoglobulin gene pools code for the antibody chains in B-lymphocytes. Raff goes on to explain how allelic exclusion ensures that antibodies produced are monospecific. Diagrams are used to help illustrate points made. Raff lists, briefly, some of the possible methods by which genes can code for a million different antibodies present in an individual. He goes on to discuss two rival theories which claim to explain this, the germ line theory and the somatic theory. Animated diagrams, models and still graphics are used. Raff introduces a sequence on the action of T-lymphocytes. Hans Wigzell puts forward the evidence he and colleagues compiled which indicates that T-cells have antibody like receptors on their cell surfaces. He points to diagrams as he talks. Martin Raff discusses the role of T-cells in the organism, particularly their ability to help B-lymphocytes regulate their response to antigens. Avrion Mitchison, with the aid of diagrams drawn on a blackboard, explains how he determined that there must be a mechanism for concentrating antigen in the vicinity of B-lymphocyte receptors. He goes on to discuss the experiments, with mice, of Henry Claman which showed that T-cells act as helpers for the B-lymphocyte response to antigens. Richard Gershon discusses some experiments which were done to demonstrate the existence of suppressor T-cells. He uses diagrams to help illustrate his points. Gershon sums up the programme by outlining how he sees the regulator T-cells controlling the immune system. |
| Master spool number: | 6HT/72567 |
| Production number: | 00525_1272 |
| Videofinder number: | 1022 |
| Available to public: | no |
