How Are Monoclonal Antibodies Produced?
Learn how monoclonal antibodies are produced using mouse lymphocytes, tumour cells and hybridomas for AQA GCSE Biology, with clear steps and exam tips.
Monoclonal antibodies are produced by combining antibody-producing mouse lymphocytes with tumour cells to form hybridoma cells. The hybridomas are cloned, and the antibodies they produce are collected and purified.
This is Higher Tier, biology-only content for AQA GCSE Biology, so it is required for separate Biology students but not Combined Science students.
The production process
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Stimulate mouse lymphocytes
A mouse is exposed to the chosen antigen. This stimulates its lymphocytes, which are white blood cells, to produce the required antibody.
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Remove the lymphocytes
The antibody-producing lymphocytes are collected from the mouse. Each antibody has a specific shape that binds to one particular binding site on an antigen.
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Fuse lymphocytes with tumour cells
The lymphocytes are combined with tumour cells. This produces cells called hybridoma cells.
This combination is useful because:
- lymphocytes produce the required antibody;
- tumour cells divide rapidly;
- hybridomas can therefore divide repeatedly while producing the antibody.
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Clone the hybridoma cells
A single suitable hybridoma cell is selected and allowed to divide. This produces a clone: a group of genetically identical cells.
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Collect and purify the antibodies
The cloned hybridoma cells produce large quantities of identical antibodies. These antibodies are collected and purified before use.
Why are they called monoclonal antibodies?
“Mono” means one. The antibodies are produced from one clone of hybridoma cells, so they are identical and bind to the same specific antigen binding site.
Common exam mistake
Do not say that lymphocytes are simply cloned by themselves. Lymphocytes make antibodies but do not divide indefinitely. They must be fused with tumour cells to produce hybridomas that both divide and make the required antibody.
