False-colour scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of hybridoma cells used in production of monoclonal antibodies for cancer therapy. Hybridomas are a co

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False-colour scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of hybridoma cells used in production of monoclonal antibodies for cancer therapy. Hybridomas are a combination of cancer cells (myelomas) and lymphocytes, which secrete the antibodies that label malignant cells. Lymphocytes are short- lived once removed from the body, precluding them from further study: cancer cells, however, grow easily in the laboratory. Hence, cells that secrete antibodies can be made immortal by fusing them with tumour cells and cloning the hybrids. Each clone would be a long-term source of quantities of a single, highly specific antibody. Magnification: x1750 at 6x7cm, x875 at 35mm size.

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Size: 4794px × 3720px
Photo credit: © CNRI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: antibodies, antibody, biotechnology, cancer, cell, drug, engineered, engineering, genetic, genetically, genetics, hybridoma, monoclonal, therapy