Monoklonaalisten

Monoklonaalisten refers to monoclonal antibodies. These are antibodies that are identical because they were produced by one type of cell. This means they all have the same specific binding to their target antigen. Monoclonal antibodies are highly specific and can be designed to target particular cells or proteins within the body.

The production of monoclonal antibodies typically involves a process called hybridoma technology. In this method, an animal, usually a mouse, is immunized with a specific antigen. B cells from the immunized animal, which produce antibodies against the antigen, are then fused with myeloma cells (cancerous plasma cells). This fusion creates hybridoma cells that are immortal and produce large quantities of the specific antibody. These hybridoma cells are then cultured in a laboratory, and the monoclonal antibodies are harvested and purified.

Monoclonal antibodies have become a significant tool in both medical research and clinical practice. In research, they are used for a variety of purposes, including identifying and quantifying specific proteins, studying cellular processes, and developing diagnostic tests. In medicine, monoclonal antibodies are used therapeutically to treat a wide range of diseases, including cancer, autoimmune disorders, and infectious diseases. They work by various mechanisms, such as blocking the action of disease-causing molecules, flagging cancer cells for destruction by the immune system, or delivering toxins directly to cancer cells.