Monoclonal Antibodies

1) A mouse is injected with antigens, mouse’s lymphocytes produces antibodies in response to the antigens.

2) The antibodies the mouse produced are then collected.

3) The antibodies themselves are not able to divide by mitosis, so they are fused with tumour cells that are able to divide by mitosis.

4) Cells produced are called Hybridomas and have the ability to divide quickly by mitosis and produce antibodies.

5) We then select the specific hybridomas we require, and allow them to divide by mitosis to a clone of identical antibodies.

6) These newly produced antibodies are known as monoclonal antibodies as they are are identical clones from a single hybridoma.

7) The monoclonal antibodies are then collected and purified for further use.

They are produced from a single clone of a hybridoma, meaning monoclonal antibodies are specific to a single binding site of one protein antigen. The benefits of this is that the monoclonal antibody can target a specific chemical/cell, giving them a wide variety of possible uses.

Used for diagnostics such as pregnancy tests as they can identify specific hormones produced in the placenta. These are cheap, easy to use, and are highly accurate if used correctly.
Used to measure hormone levels in blood
Used in research to locate or identify specific molecules in a cell or tissue by binding to them with a fluorescent dye
Used to treat some diseases: for cancer the monoclonal antibody can be bound to a radioactive substance, a toxic drug or a chemical which stops cells growing and dividing. Very useful It delivers the substance to the cancer cells without harming other cells in the body. However some have been found to have side-effects so use of monoclonal antibodies in medicine is limited for now.