What is the role of hybridoma cells in antibody production?

Hybridoma cells are used in the production of large quantities of identical antibodies, known as monoclonal antibodies.

Hybridoma cells play a crucial role in the production of monoclonal antibodies, which are antibodies that are identical because they are produced by one type of immune cell that are all clones of a single parent cell. The process begins with the injection of a specific antigen into a mouse, which stimulates the mouse's immune system to produce B cells, each producing a specific antibody.

The B cells from the spleen of the mouse are then removed and combined with myeloma cells, a type of cancer cell that can multiply indefinitely. This combination is done in the presence of polyethylene glycol (PEG), which encourages the cells to fuse together. The result is a hybrid cell, or hybridoma, which has the antibody-producing ability of the B cell and the longevity and reproductive capability of the myeloma cell.

These hybridoma cells are then cultured in a laboratory, where they continue to grow and divide, producing large quantities of identical antibodies. These antibodies are known as monoclonal antibodies because they are produced by one type of immune cell, all clones of a single parent cell.

Monoclonal antibodies have a wide range of applications in medical and biological research, diagnostics, and therapies. They are used in the treatment of various diseases, including cancer, autoimmune diseases, and infectious diseases. They are also used in diagnostic tests for diseases such as HIV and hepatitis.

In summary, hybridoma cells are essential for the production of monoclonal antibodies, providing a way to produce large quantities of specific, identical antibodies for use in a wide range of applications.