Evaluation of the Progression of Hybridoma Technology: Methods, Applications, Advantages and Drawbacks

Many recombinant technologies have been used to produce antibodies in a number of laboratories. Since 1975, hybridoma technology has become the most widely used technique to generate antigen specific monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). Here, we review the techniques, applications, benefits and challenges of hybridoma-based generation ofMAbs. In this technique hybrid cells are obtained by fusing B cells, with formerly prepared myeloma cells. The fused cells are thus called hybridoma cells (hybridomas). Hybridomas, which are able to secrete specific antibodies, directed to a target antigen, are selected and sub-cloned to a large medium for mass production. A large quantity of MAbs generated through hybridoma technology has been extensively employed to detect the target molecules in research and clinical laboratories. Additionally, MAbs have long been used for prevention and treatment of a variety of diseases. Although, hybridoma technology is capable of producing a large quantity of desired MAbs, it still has its short-comings.