Two independent techniques have been developed and applied to determin
e the crystal face specificity, if any, of different monoclonal antibo
dies that were raised and selected based on their affinity to crystal
surfaces. The techniques used are: (a) in situ detection of color deve
lopment by ELISA, following antibody adsorption on mature crystals; (b
) morphological modifications induced by crystal growth in the presenc
e of antibody. In addition, surface sublimation patterns were observed
, induced by antibody adsorbed during crystal growth. One antibody, sp
ecific to crystals of 1,4-dinitrobenzene (DNB), is shown by all techni
ques to selectively recognize one face of the crystals. A nonspecific
antibody and an antibody specific to cholesterol (but not to DNB) crys
tals, have different effects and display no crystal face specificity.
(C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.