Production Process: Creating Hybridoma Cells
Part of Monoclonal Antibodies — GCSE Biology
This deep dive covers Production Process: Creating Hybridoma Cells within Monoclonal Antibodies for GCSE Biology. Production and medical applications of identical antibodies, hybridoma cells, diagnostics It is section 3 of 17 in this topic. Use this deep dive to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Topic position
Section 3 of 17
Practice
15 questions
Recall
18 flashcards
Production Process: Creating Hybridoma Cells
Step 1: Antigen Injection
A mouse is injected with a specific antigen (e.g., cancer marker protein). The mouse's immune system responds by producing B cells that make antibodies against this antigen.
Step 2: B Cell Extraction
B cells are extracted from the mouse's spleen. These cells produce the desired antibodies but have a major limitation - they cannot divide indefinitely in culture and will die within days.
Step 3: Cell Fusion
The extracted B cells are fused with immortal myeloma cells (cancer cells that divide continuously). This fusion creates hybridoma cells that combine the best of both:
- Antibody production ability (from B cells)
- Immortality and rapid division (from myeloma cells)
Step 4: Selection and Cloning
The hybridoma cells are grown in selective medium that kills unfused cells. Only successful fusions survive. Individual hybridoma cells are then cloned to produce populations that make identical antibodies.
Step 5: Mass Production
Selected clones are grown in large-scale culture systems to produce unlimited quantities of identical monoclonal antibodies.