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Services :: Pilot Scale Production
:: Hybridoma / MAb
Monoclonal antibodies (mAb) are important
reagents in biomedical research, They are used in the
identification of proteins, carbohydrates, and nucleic
acids. Their use has led to the elucidation of many
molecules that control cell replication and differentiation,
advancing our knowledge of the relationship between
molecular structure and function. These advances in
basic biologic sciences have improved our understanding
of the host response to infectious-disease agents and
toxins produced by these agents, to transplanted organs
and tissues, and to tumors. In addition, the specificity
of monoclonal antibodies allows them to be used for
the diagnosis and treatment of disease.
Hybridomas
Monoclonal antibodies are produced
by cell lines or clones obtained from animals, generally
mice, that have been immunized with a substance of interest.
The hybridoma cell lines are produced by fusing B cells
from the spleen of the immunized animal with myeloma cells
(Köhler and Milstein 1975). To produce the desired
mAb, the cells must be grown in culture and the antibody
is then prepared from the conditioned tissue-culture medium.
Hybridomas at Vista
At Vists Biologicals we have
worked at all levels of the process subsequent to the
immunization of the mouse and the initial fusion of
the spleen cells. We have performed refusion
of cell lines, clonal selection of the cells, medium
optimization, adaptation of the cells to serum free
media, cell banking and characterization, optimization
of antibody production, scale-up, purification development
and optimization, characterization of the product, preparation
of reference lots, and formulation and stability studies
of the purified product. We have prepared material for
preclinical and clinical studies in quantities ranging
from a few milligrams to over one kilogram.
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