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Producing monoclonal antibodies

Infection and response · Monoclonal antibodies · note 1 of 2

Spec 4.3.2.1Triple onlyHigher tierDownload these notes (PDF)4 pages

Producing monoclonal antibodiesSpec 4.3.2.1

Monoclonal antibodies are produced from a single clone of cells. The antibodies are specific to one binding site on one protein antigen, so they are able to target a specific chemical or specific cells in the body.

An antigen is a molecule that an antibody can bind to. Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell that make antibodies.

Making monoclonal antibodies

  1. Mouse lymphocytes are stimulated to make a particular antibody.
  2. The lymphocytes are combined with a particular kind of tumour cell to make a hybridoma cell.
  3. The hybridoma cell can both divide and make the antibody.
  4. Single hybridoma cells are cloned to produce many identical cells that all produce the same antibody.
  5. A large amount of the antibody can be collected and purified.
Hybridoma cell
A cell made by combining a lymphocyte with a tumour cell. It can both divide and make the antibody.
Monoclonal antibody
An antibody produced from a single clone of cells, specific to one binding site on one protein antigen.
A mouse lymphocyte and a tumour cell fuse to form a hybridoma cell, which is cloned into many identical hybridoma cells that make antibodies, which are collected and purified.Tap to enlarge
Making monoclonal antibodies: lymphocyte + tumour cell = hybridoma cell, which is cloned.