Exam Focus: **Hybridoma Technology** for Monoclonal Antibody (mAb) production is one of the most important concepts. Be prepared to describe the role of the B-cell, the myeloma cell, PEG, and the HAT medium (from Unit 4) in detail. Also, know the medical application of the key metabolites (TPA, Interferon).
These are therapeutic proteins and hormones produced in large quantities using animal cell culture systems.
A peptide hormone, recombinantly produced, used in the treatment of Diabetes Mellitus.
A protein hormone that stimulates growth; recombinantly produced for the treatment of growth deficiencies.
A cytokine produced by cells in response to viruses, used therapeutically for treating viral diseases and certain cancers.
An enzyme used as a "clot-buster" in medicine to dissolve unwanted blood clots, for example, during stroke or heart attack treatment.
A critical blood clotting protein produced recombinantly for the treatment of Haemophilia A.
| Feature | Monoclonal Antibodies (mAbs) | Polyclonal Antibodies |
|---|---|---|
| **Specificity** | Highly specific; recognizes only **one epitope** on an antigen. | Recognizes **multiple epitopes** on an antigen. |
| **Source** | Single clone of hybridoma cells. | Serum from an immunized animal (many different B-cell clones). |
| **Supply** | Infinite, uniform supply. | Limited supply, batch-to-batch variation. |
Hybridoma technology is the process of generating **hybridoma cells** (hybrid B-cells) that can produce a single, specific antibody (monoclonal) indefinitely.
mAbs are used extensively in biomedical fields: