monoclonal antibodies

• what are some uses of monoclonal antibodies?

  • pregnancy tests
  • treating diseases
  • binding hormones
  • research
• how do you get a hybridoma?

  B-lymphocyte and tumour cell
• what do tumour cells do that b-lymphocytes don't?

  multiply quickly
• why do they use lymphocytes?

  so all antibodies produced are identical
• Producing monoclonal antibodies:

  A mouse is injected with a specific antigen to make specific antibodies. Lymphocytes are taken from the mouse. A lymphocyte is fused with a tumour cells. This creates a hybridoma. The hydridoma can be cloned to get lots of identical cells. These antibodies cam be collected and purified
• monoclonal antibodies are produced from lots of clones of a singe white blood cell, meaning all antibodies are identical and will target one specific protein antigen