Monoclonal antibodies

Question 1

How are monoclonal antibodies produced?

Answer 1

Produced by stimulating mouse lymphocytes to make an antibody
The lymphocytes are fused with a tumor cell to make a hybridoma cell
The hybridoma cell divide and produce antibodies.
The antibodies are collected and purified.

Question 2

What are the uses of monoclonal antibodies?

Answer 2

• pregnancy tests
• Measure the levels of hormones and other chemicals in blood, or to detect pathogens
• For cancer the monoclonal antibody can be bound to a radioactive substance, a toxic drug or a chemical which stops cells growing and dividing. It delivers the substance to the cancer cells without harming other cells in the body