Describe how scientists make monoclonal antibodies using the cell created when a mouse lymphocyte and a tumour cell combine.
How to approach this question
The previous question established that a hybridoma cell is created. What is the next step?
1. What do you need to do with the single hybridoma cell to get lots of them? (Think cloning/cell division).
2. Once you have many cells, what do you need to provide them with to keep them alive and producing antibodies? (Think culturing).
3. What do the cells produce that you need to collect?
Full Answer
After a hybridoma cell is successfully created, the process continues as follows:
1. **Selection and Cloning:** The hybridoma cells are separated and cultured individually. Each one is tested to find a cell that produces the desired antibody. Once the correct hybridoma cell is identified, it is selected and cloned. Cloning means it is allowed to divide by mitosis many times to produce a large population of genetically identical cells.
2. **Large-scale Production:** This large population of cloned hybridoma cells is then cultured in a fermenter (a large container with controlled conditions and nutrients).
3. **Collection and Purification:** As the cells grow and divide in the culture, they all produce and secrete the exact same type of antibody into the surrounding medium. These monoclonal antibodies are then separated from the culture medium, collected, and purified for use.
Common mistakes
✗ Forgetting the cloning step. It's essential to get a population of cells that all make the *same* antibody.
✗ Just saying "they are grown" without mentioning that the antibodies are collected.
✗ Confusing this with genetic engineering or other biotechnologies.
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