Monoclonal Antibodies

• 1.An antigen is injected into a mouse

  2.The mouse naturally produces lymphocytes, which produce antibodies specific to the antigen

  3.Spleen cells which produce the lymphocytes are removed during a small operation.

  4.The spleen cells are fused with human cancerous white blood cells called myeloma cells to form hybridoma cells which divide indefinitely and are grown in a laboratory.

  5.These hybridoma cells divide and produce millions of monoclonal antibodies specific to the original antigen which are then collected
• What are monoclonal antibodies used for?

  Used for diagnosis, to measure levels of protein e.g. hormones in the blood, to identify molecules in a cell or tissue (fluorescence) and to treat e.g. cancer
• Why are monoclonal antibodies used less than expected?

  Due to side effects
• HCG is in antibody of pregnant woman which helps with pregnancy sticks as that determines if ur carrying a baby