Monoclonal Antibodies

Monoclonal Antibodies

Monoclonal antibodies (mAb) are a single type of antibody that are identical and are directed against a specific epitope (antigen, antigenic determinant) and are produced by B-cell clones of a single parent or a single hybridoma cell line. A hybridoma cell line is formed by the fusion of a one B-cell lymphocyte with a myeloma cell. Some myeloma cells synthesize single mAb antibodies naturally.

Monoclonal Antibody Production:

Monoclonal antibody production is a process in which large quantities of antibody targeted against a particular antigen, X, can be produced. Briefly, Monoclonal antibodies are produced by immunizing mice with antigen X, to stimulate the production of antibodies targeted against X. The B-cells or antibody secreting cells are isolated from the mouse's spleen. Antibody secreting B-cells that secrete antigenX-specific antibodies are then selected using a B-cell selection assay. These B-cells are then fused with Tumour cells grown in culture, in the presence of PEG (poly-ethylene glycol). This results in a hybridoma. Hybridomas are then screened for antibody production against antigenX. Each hybridoma cell produces relatively large quantities of identical antibody molecules. Hybridomas are then allowed to multiply in culture,thus generating a large population of cells, each of which produces identical antibody molecules.

Furthermore, once a monoclonal antibody is made, it can be used as a specific probe to track down and purify the specific protein that induced its formation. Given almost any substance or compound (even chemicals), it is possible to create monoclonal antibodies that specifically bind to that substance. These monoclonal antibodies can then be used to detect or purify that substance. In Molecular Biology and Medicine,this has become a tool for the study of biological processeses.

Monoclonal Antibodies

Monoclonal Antibody Production:

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