Producing Monoclonal Antibodies (AQA GCSE Biology): Revision Note

Making monoclonal antibodies

Higher Tier Only

• Monoclonal antibodies are antibodies that are made by identical immune cells

• These identical immune cells are clones of the parent cell

• Antibodies are Y-shaped proteins made by lymphocytes (see Human Defence Systems)

• The antibodies are specific to one binding site on one protein antigen and so are able to target a specific chemical or specific cells in the body

• They are produced by stimulating mouse lymphocytes to make a particular antibody by exposing them to an antigen

Diagram of method to make monoclonal antibodies

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• The lymphocytes are combined with a particular type of tumour cell to make a hybridoma cell

  • Tumour cells can divide repeatedly which is why they are used

• The hybridoma cell can both divide and produce the antibody

• Single hybridoma cells are cloned, resulting in many divisions, making high quantities of identical cells that all produce the same antibody

• A large amount of the antibody can be collected and purified ready for use