Hibridomák

Hibridomák, or hybridomas, are cell lines created by fusing antibody-producing B lymphocytes with myeloma cells. This fusion process is a key technique in biotechnology, primarily used for the production of monoclonal antibodies. Myeloma cells are cancerous plasma cells that are immortal, meaning they can divide indefinitely in culture. B lymphocytes, or B cells, are a type of white blood cell that produces antibodies specific to a particular antigen.

The fusion of a B cell and a myeloma cell results in a hybrid cell, known as a hybridoma. These hybrid cells possess the desirable characteristics of both parent cells: they produce a specific antibody like the B cell and can divide indefinitely like the myeloma cell. This immortality allows for the continuous and large-scale production of a single, highly specific antibody.

The process typically involves immunizing an animal, such as a mouse, with the antigen of interest. This stimulates the animal's B cells to produce antibodies against that antigen. The spleen, rich in B cells, is then removed, and its cells are fused with myeloma cells using a chemical agent like polyethylene glycol (PEG). The resulting mixture contains unfused myeloma cells, unfused B cells, and hybridoma cells.

A selective medium is used to eliminate the unfused cells, allowing only the hybridomas to survive and proliferate. These surviving hybridomas are then screened to identify those that produce the desired antibody. Once a suitable hybridoma is identified, it can be cultured in large quantities to produce a consistent supply of monoclonal antibodies. These antibodies have wide-ranging applications in diagnostics, therapeutics, and research.