Flashcards · Biology · Culturing Microorganisms and Developing Medicines
Making Monoclonal Antibodies
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What is a monoclonal antibody?
An antibody made by a clone of identical cells, which fits one antigen.
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Why can't a lymphocyte be grown in the laboratory?
It does not divide outside the body.
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Why are tumour cells used?
They divide rapidly and for a long time.
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What is a hybridoma cell?
A cell formed by fusing a lymphocyte with a tumour cell.
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What can a hybridoma cell do?
Make the desired antibody, and divide.
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Which animal is used to make the lymphocytes?
Usually a mouse.
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Why is the mouse injected with an antigen?
So that its lymphocytes make the antibody against that antigen.
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What is done with the hybridoma cells?
They are tested, the right ones are selected, and they are grown in large amounts.
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Why are all of the antibodies identical?
They come from a clone, so they have the same genes.
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What does mono mean?
One.
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What is the final stage?
The antibodies are collected from the liquid, and purified.
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What can be attached to a monoclonal antibody?
A dye, a radioactive label or a drug.
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Who first made monoclonal antibodies?
Köhler and Milstein, in 1975.
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Why are mouse antibodies altered for human use?
Otherwise the human immune system may react against them.
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Which parent cell gives the hybridoma its ability to divide?
The tumour cell.
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Common mistake about hybridomas?
Saying that the tumour cell makes the antibody. It is the lymphocyte that does.