Producing monoclonal antibodies

• What are monoclonal antibodies?

  Identical copies of one type of antibody
• Why are monoclonal antibodies useful?

  They bind to one specific antigen
• What is the step-by-step process of producing monoclonal antibodies?

  1. Injecting the antigen
  2. Extracting B-lymphocytes
  3. Fusing with tumour cells
  4. Cloning hybridoma cells
  5. Collecting and purifying antibodies
• What is injected into a mouse to produce monoclonal antibodies?

  A specific antigen
• What do B-lymphocytes produce in response to an antigen?

  Antibodies against the antigen
• Where are B-lymphocytes extracted from in the mouse?

  The mouse's spleen
• Why must B-lymphocytes be fused with another type of cell?

  To grow in large numbers
• What type of cells are B-lymphocytes fused with?

  Myeloma cells
• What do hybridoma cells do?

  Divide rapidly and produce antibodies
• What is the outcome of cloning hybridoma cells?

  Millions of identical cells are produced
• What happens to the monoclonal antibodies after cloning?

  They are collected and purified
• Why are hybridoma cells advantageous in monoclonal antibody production?

  • They divide rapidly
  • They produce large amounts of antibodies
• What is a major advantage of monoclonal antibodies?

  Highly specific to one target antigen
• What is a disadvantage of monoclonal antibody production?

  Production is expensive
• What are some side effects of monoclonal antibodies in humans?

  Fever and allergic reactions
• What ethical issues are associated with monoclonal antibody production?

  Involves using mice in research
• Why is producing monoclonal antibodies important?

  Used in medicine and diagnosing diseases
• What are some applications of monoclonal antibodies?

  Cancer treatment and pregnancy tests
• What advancements have monoclonal antibodies brought to biotechnology?

  • Better treatments for diseases
  • Improved diagnostics for infections
  • Enhanced research on the immune system