Inject mouse with antigen to which antibodies are being sought
Second Step
Remove the B Cells which are actively forming antibodies from Mouse’s spleen. These will be producing many antibodies
Third Step
Fuse B Cells with cancer tumour cells to form hybridomas (Add detergent to break down cell membrane)
Fourth Step
Separate Hybridomas too see which are producing the desired antibody. Clone them on a large scale (let them reproduce)
Fifth Step
Antibodies are modified in a process called humanisation
Why are they called Monoclonal Antibodies?
They are genetically identical (Clonal) and come from one B Cell (Mono)
Uses of Monoclonal Antibodies
Separation of a chemical from a mixture by binding to it
Immunoassay - Binding to substances so their quantity can be calculated
Cancer Treatment - Attach Cytoxic Drug to Monoclonal Antibody that is chosen to attach to cancer cell
Anti-rejection treatment after transplants - Monoclonal Antibodies can be injected that bind to specific T cells, preventing them from attacking the donar organ
