Monoclonal antibodies

• Monoclonal Antibodies


  Identical copies of one type of antibody
• Monoclonal Antibodies


  • Made from a single clone of cells
  • Produced by lymphocytes (white blood cells)
• Antibodies


  Proteins produced by white blood cells that bind to specific antigens on pathogens
• Production of monoclonal antibodies

  1. Inject antigen into mouse

  2. Remove lymphocytes from mouse spleen

  3. Fuse lymphocytes with tumour cells to form hybridoma

  4. Hybridoma divides to produce identical antibodies
• Uses of monoclonal antibodies

  • Test for pregnancy
  • Diagnose and treat cancer cells
  • Test for presence of certain proteins
• Pregnancy tests


  Use monoclonal antibodies designed to bind with Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) hormone found in pregnant women's urine
• Monoclonal antibodies bind to cancer cell antigens

  Makes it easier to identify and treat tumours