monoclonal antibodies

What are monoclonal antibodies?

Antibodies made by identical immune cells called B-lymphocytes

What do monoclonal antibodies do?

They are able to target specific chemicals or cells in the body

What produces antibodies?

Lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell)

Why are monoclonal antibodies useful?

They bind only to one specific antigen, allowing targeted treatment or detection

What is Step 1 in producing monoclonal antibodies?

A mouse is injected with antigens to stimulate lymphocytes

What is Step 2 in producing monoclonal antibodies?

Make antibody-producing lymphocytes from the mouse

What is Step 3 in producing monoclonal antibodies?

The antibody-producing lymphocytes are extracted

What is Step 4 in producing monoclonal antibodies?

The lymphocytes are fused with tumour (myeloma) cells to form hybridomas

What is Step 5 in producing monoclonal antibodies?

Hybridomas are screened for the production of the desired antibody

What happens after screening hybridomas?

The correct hybridomas are isolated and cloned to make large quantities of the specific antibody