Monoclonal antibodies are synthetic molecules created in laboratories that are designed to function as stand-in antibodies capable of simulating the immune system’s defense against dangerous infections like viruses. A more thorough description of monoclonal antibodies and their applications can be found here:
Definition and Creation:
Cloned from a single parent cell, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are identical immune cells. They are made to attach to particular targets, or antigens, on the cell surface. The detailed procedure for making them is as follows:
- Immunization: To induce the development of antibodies, an antigen is administered to an animal, often a mouse.
- Cell Fusion: Myeloma cells—a kind of cancer cell that can proliferate indefinitely—are fused with the spleen cells of the immunized animal, generating antibodies. Hybridomas, or hybrid cells, are the result of this merger.
- Selection: Hybridomas are tested to identify which ones produce the appropriate antibodies.
- Cloning: To generate vast amounts of identical antibodies, the chosen hybridomas are cloned.
- Purification: Before being used, the monoclonal antibodies are collected and refined.
Applications and Uses:
Applications for monoclonal antibodies are numerous in biotechnology, research, and medicine. Some of them include:
1. Medical Interventions:
- Cancer: By destroying specific cancer cells, monoclonal antibodies protect healthy cells. Examples include rituximab (Rituxan) for specific forms of lymphoma and trastuzumab (Herceptin) for breast cancer.
- Autoimmune Diseases: As demonstrated by infliximab (Remicade) and adalimumab (Humira), which are used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease, they have the ability to modify immune system function.
- Infectious Diseases: They are employed in the treatment of COVID-19 with monoclonal antibodies such as casirivimab and imdevimab, in order to kill microorganisms.
2. Tools for Diagnosis: Because monoclonal antibodies may attach selectively to target molecules, they are utilized in a variety of diagnostic tests, including tests for infectious illnesses and pregnancy.
3. Investigation: Monoclonal antibodies are vital research instruments for following biological processes, detecting and isolating certain proteins, and researching immune responses.
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