Monoclonal antibodies

Definition

Monoclonal antibodies are laboratory-produced molecules engineered to serve as substitute antibodies that can restore, enhance, or mimic the immune system's attack on cells. They are designed to bind specifically to antigens present on pathogens or diseased cells.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Monoclonal antibodies are produced using hybridoma technology, which involves fusing an antibody-producing B cell with a myeloma cell.
2. They have high specificity for a single epitope on an antigen, making them useful in diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
3. Monoclonal antibodies can be used in various assays such as ELISA, flow cytometry, and immunohistochemistry to detect antigen-antibody complexes.
4. Therapeutic monoclonal antibodies can treat diseases like cancer, autoimmune disorders, and infectious diseases by targeting specific cellular markers.
5. Chimeric, humanized, and fully human monoclonal antibodies are different types based on the proportion of mouse versus human protein content.

Review Questions

• What is the primary use of monoclonal antibodies in laboratory analysis?
• How are monoclonal antibodies produced using hybridoma technology?
• Name two diagnostic techniques that utilize monoclonal antibodies.

Related terms

Hybridoma Technology:

A method used to produce large numbers of identical antibodies by fusing B cells with myeloma cells.

ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay): A plate-based assay technique for detecting and quantifying soluble substances such as peptides, proteins, and hormones.

Flow Cytometry:

A technique for counting, examining, and sorting microscopic particles suspended in a stream of fluid.