Monoclonal Antibodies (Triple Higher Tier Only)

• Monoclonal antibodies are produced from a single clone of cells. The antibodies are specific to one binding site on one protein antigen and so are able to target a specific chemical or specific cells in the body.
• Lymphocytes produce antibodies against anything that the body detects as foreign. These 'foreign' objects are called antigens.
• Monoclonal antibodies are antibodies that come from a single hybridoma clone. They are specific to one biding site on one protein antigen. They can target a specific chemical or specific cells in the body.
• In the creation of monoclonal antibodies:

  • Lymphocytes are taken from a subject (e.g. lab mouse)
  • They are then fused with a tumour cell, creating a 'hybridoma'
  • We then select a single hybridoma cell producing the antibody we want
  • The hybridoma cell divides by mitosis to form a clone of identical hybridoma cells
• Hybridoma cells can produce antibodies and divide by mitosis because they are the fusion of both a lymphocyte and a tumour cell, and therefore maintain the properties of both.
• Uses of Monoclonal Antibodies include:

  • For diagnosis such as in pregnancy tests
  • In laboratories to measure the levels of hormones and other chemicals in blood, or to detect pathogens
  • In research to locate or identify specific molecules in a cell or tissue by binding to them with a fluorescent dye
  • To treat some diseases