Describe the advantages of monoclonal antibodies developed by rDNA technology over that developed by Hybridoma technology.
Monoclonal antibodies developed using rDNA technology offer several advantages over those produced by Hybridoma technology.
Firstly, rDNA technology enables the development of chimeric or humanised antibodies where mouse antibodies carry human segments. These antibodies possess higher efficacy and activity compared to purely mouse-derived antibodies from hybridoma technology.
Secondly, recombinant monoclonal antibodies are safe, pure and efficient. Since they are identical to natural human proteins, they do not induce immune responses and are free from threat of allergic responses, unlike conventional antibodies which may cause immune reactions. Additionally, hybridoma technology was developed to overcome issues of earlier methods being tricky, complicated and producing short-lived antibodies.
Explanation
The textbook context highlights key differences between the two technologies. Hybridoma technology (Kohler and Milstein, 1975) was invented to overcome problems of earlier methods being complicated and producing short-lived antibodies. In contrast, rDNA technology produces humanised/chimeric antibodies with higher efficacy, and critically, these recombinant therapeutics do not induce immune or allergic responses since they are identical to natural human proteins. This makes them safer and more effective for therapeutic use.