Monoclonal Antibodies

DANIEL GUNAYAKA
Intro

A monoclonal antibody is an antibody

made by a single clone of hybridoma cells;
all the antibody molecules made by the
clone have identical variable regions so
are specific to one antigen
Manufacture
Antibodies produced by some animals can be used to help cure diseases. The animal are injected
with the pathogen and their lymphocytes produce antibodies against the pathogens antigens.
The lymphocytes can be collected but cannot divide by mitosis to have a large number of them.
To solve this:
- The lymphocyte is fused with a tumor cell
- The cell produced is called a hybridoma. These can produce antibodies and also divide by mitosis.
- A single hybridoma producing the wanted antibodies is selected and left to produce clones of itself.
- And these cells are what we know as monoclonal antibodies
- These can then be collected then purified and ready for use
Uses

- Monoclonal antibodies are being used in the diagnosis and treatment

of many diseases, including some types of cancer. They can be used
alone or to carry drugs, toxins, or radioactive substances directly to
cancer cells.
- Also used as probes to identify materials in laboratories or for use in
home-testing kits like those for pregnancy or ovulation