Monoclonal antibody




Most antigens offer multiple epitopesand therefore induce proliferation and differentiation of a variety of B-cell clones, each derived from a B cell that recognizes a particular epitope. The resulting serum antibodies are heterogeneous, comprising a mixture of antibodies, each specific for one epitope. Such a polyclonal antibody has clear advantages for the organism in vivo.
•the antibody heterogeneity reduces the efficacy of an antiserum for various in vitro uses.
For most research, diagnostic, and therapeutic purposes, monoclonal antibodies are preferable.
•Monoclonal antibodies:antibodies derived from a single clone and thus specific for a single epitope.

 Principle

•Fusion of lymphocytes cells from an immunized animal with cells from cultured myelomacell (cancer cells) line to produce hyberidoma.

 Procedure

•Animals are immunized with antigen.
•Spleen is removed and cell suspension is prepared.
•Myelomacells (have metabolic defect) are selected and prepared in cell line.
•Fusion is carried out using Polyethylene glycol to promote fusion.
•Small portion fuse successfully to form hyberidoma.
•Selection of the hyberidomais done using culture media: HAT medium (hypoxanthin, aminopterin, thymidine).
•Aminopterinis a powerful toxin which block certain metabolic pathway.
This metabolic pathway can be by-passed if the cell is provided with hypoxanthinand thymidine.
•Spleen cells (unfusedto myelomacells, may fuse to each other) can use this by-pass pathway, so HAT is not toxic to them but due to their normal short life span they die.
•Myeloma cells (unfused with spleen cells, may fuse to each other) can’t use this by-pass, so they die in HAT medium.
•Only fused cells: hybridoma survive because they have the bypass of spleen cells and the immortality of myeloma cells and they are antibody producers.
•Culture is distributed in wells.
•Wells showing growing cells are tested for the production of the desired specific antibody by gel electrophoresis.
•Positive cultures are serially diluted to obtain single cell in each well.
•Each cell will produce a clone of specific antibody derived from a single progenitor: Monoclonal antibody.
•Cloning may be propagated in vitro in cell line or in vivo in mouse.

 Genetic engineering

-Genetic engineering= Recombinant DNA technology = genetic modification / manipulation (GM) and gene splicing are terms that apply to the direct manipulation of an organism's genes.
-There are a number of ways through which genetic engineering is accomplished. Essentially, the process has five main steps.
1.Isolation of the genes of interest.
2.Insertion of the genes into a transfer vector.
3.Transfer of the vector to the organism to be modified.
4.Transformation of the cells of the organism.
5.Selection of the genetically modified organism (GMO) from those that have not been successfully modified.

 Genetic engineering

Impact of genetics on fermentation technology.
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The main impact of classic genetics on biotechnology was the improvement of the industrial strains which resulted in increased yield and reduction in costs.
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In genetic engineer the genes could move from one cell type to another e.g. from plants and mammals to bacteria.
-The future of genetic engineering is considered almost unlimited in its commercial applications.