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Production of monoclonal antibodies explained

Infection and response • Monoclonal antibodies (biology only) (HT only)

Key concepts

What you'll likely be quizzed about

  • Monoclonal antibodies are identical antibodies produced by many copies of a single cell.
  • The term 'mono' indicates one type and 'clonal' signifies that every antibody molecule originates from the same antibody‑producing cell.
  • Cloning a single hybridoma cell enables the production of identical antibodies that share a unique binding site.

Flashcards

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What does 'monoclonal' literally mean?

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'Mono' refers to one and 'clonal' means from a single clone; antibodies from one cell lineage.

Key notes

Important points to keep in mind

Antigen injection into a mouse stimulates spleen B lymphocytes that produce antibodies specific to that antigen.

Fusion of spleen cells with myeloma cells produces hybridomas that secrete antibody and divide indefinitely.

Selective culture medium removes unfused myeloma cells; surviving hybridomas are cloned to create monoclonal populations.

Monoclonal antibodies come from one clone and therefore recognize one epitope on one protein antigen.

Antibody–antigen binding depends on the complementary shape between an antibody variable region and an antigen epitope.

Cloning ensures batch uniformity; antigen changes or masked epitopes can limit binding and effectiveness.

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