Monoclonal Antibodies

• What cell are antibodies produced by?

  B-lymphocytes
• How are monoclonal antibodies made?

  • A mouse B-lymphocyte which produces the desired antibody is fused with a tumour cell
  • A hybridoma is produced
  • Hybridomas are cloned to get lots of identical cells
  • The cloned cells all produce the same antibodies
  • The antibodies are collected and purified
• Do monoclonal antibodies only bind pathogens?

  No they can bond to any molecule chosen
• What is one practical use of monoclonal antibodies?

  Pregnancy tests
• How do pregnancy tests use monoclonal antibodies?

  • A hormone called HCG is only found in pregnant women's urine
  • Monoclonal antibodies attached to blue beads are present in the pregnancy test
  • The test strip has more antibodies stuck onto it
  • If you are pregnant: the hormone binds to antibodies which move with the urine and bind to the antibodies on the strip turning it blue
  • If you are not pregnant: the antibodies move with the urine but don't stick to the strip meaning it does not turn blue