3.2.1: Producing monoclonal antibodies
Not started yet — this one needs some love.
Monoclonal antibodies: produced from a single clone of identical cells; highly specific to one antigen binding site.
Production steps:
Mouse is injected with a specific antigen → mouse lymphocytes produce antibodies specific to that antigen.
Lymphocytes are removed and fused with a tumour cell → forms a hybridoma cell (a fusion cell with properties of both).
The hybridoma can divide indefinitely (like a cancer cell) AND produce the specific antibody (like the lymphocyte).
Single hybridoma cells are cloned (cultured) → large numbers of genetically identical cells, all producing the same monoclonal antibody.
The antibodies are collected and purified from the cell culture.
Common exam mistakes
HYBRIDOMA IS NOT THE MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY — the hybridoma is a cell that PRODUCES the monoclonal antibody. The antibody is a protein; the hybridoma is a cell.
It is the lymphocyte (not the antibody itself) that is fused with the tumour cell — you cannot fuse an antibody (a protein) with a cell.
Hybridoma cells are cloned (cultured/divided) to produce many identical cells — NOT just dividing by mitosis (must explicitly say cloning).
The lymphocytes (which can make specific antibodies) are fused with tumour cells (which can divide indefinitely) to create a hybridoma with BOTH abilities.
Monoclonal antibodies are collected and purified from the cell culture — patients are given the purified antibodies, NOT the hybridoma cells themselves.
Do not say 'lymphocytes are given to patients' or 'hybridoma cells are injected' — only the purified antibodies are used medically.