ANTIBODY RECOGNITION OF SPECIFIC CRYSTAL FACES OF 1,4-DINITROBENZENE

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.