Monoclonal antibodies

• Antibodies are small proteins produced by B-lymphocytes. They bind to antigens on foreign material, marking it for destruction
• 1. Mouse is injected with antigen that we want antibodies to bind to
• 2. Let animal develop immune response, then isolate some of the B-lymphocytes (which will produce the antibody we want)
• 3. Combine B-lymphocytes with fast dividing tumour cells to form hybridoma cells
• 4. Let hybridoma cells divide rapidly in Petri dish
• 5. Collect and purify the monoclonal antibodies they produce