hybridomatechnikával

Hybridoma technology is a method for producing monoclonal antibodies. It was developed by Georges Köhler and César Milstein in 1975. The process involves fusing antibody-producing plasma cells with immortal myeloma cells. Plasma cells, which are a type of B lymphocyte, produce specific antibodies against an antigen. However, plasma cells have a limited lifespan. Myeloma cells, which are cancer cells derived from B lymphocytes, are immortal and can be cultured indefinitely.

The fusion of these two cell types creates hybrid cells called hybridomas. These hybridomas possess the desirable characteristics of both parent cells: they produce a specific monoclonal antibody and are immortal, allowing for continuous production of that antibody. The fusion process typically uses a chemical agent like polyethylene glycol (PEG) to facilitate the merging of the cell membranes.

After fusion, the hybridoma cells are cultured in a selective medium that allows only the fused hybridoma cells to survive and proliferate. Non-fused plasma cells die because they are not immortal, and non-fused myeloma cells die due to the selective conditions. The surviving hybridomas are then screened to identify those that produce the desired antibody. Once a hybridoma producing the specific antibody is identified, it can be cultured in large quantities to generate a continuous supply of monoclonal antibodies. These monoclonal antibodies have wide-ranging applications in diagnostics, therapeutics, and research.