Hybridoma

Hybridoma designates immortalised cell lines created by fusing antibody-producing B lymphocytes with myeloma cells, combining B cell antibody production capabilities with myeloma immortality enabling indefinite monoclonal antibody secretion in culture. This breakthrough technology revolutionised antibody production, enabling generation of unlimited quantities of identical antibodies recognising specific antigens.

The biopharmaceutical industry historically depended on hybridoma technology for therapeutic antibody discovery, though limitations including mouse origin and production challenges led to alternative approaches. Hybridoma generation requires selecting fusion partners, employing selective media eliminating unfused cells, screening supernatants for antibody production, and cloning positive wells. Mouse antibodies from hybridomas proved immunogenic in humans, driving humanisation and fully human antibody technologies. The method remains valuable for research antibody production, diagnostic reagent generation, and preclinical studies. The hybridoma legacy includes demonstrating monoclonal antibody feasibility, enabling countless research advances, and establishing antibodies as major therapeutic modality.