hybridoma

hybridoma /hy·brid·o·ma/ (hi?brid-o´mah) a somatic cell hybrid formed by fusion of normal lymphocytes and tumor cells.

---

hy·brid·o·ma (hbr-dm)

n.

A cell hybrid produced in vitro by the fusion of a lymphocyte that produces antibodies and a myeloma tumor cell. It proliferates into clones that produce a continuous supply of a specific antibody.

---

hybridoma

a cell culture consisting of a clone of a hybrid cell formed by fusing cells of different kinds. Hybridomas formed from mouse B lymphocytes following inoculation of a particular antigen and myeloma cells are immortal and produce monoclonal antibodies to the inoculated antigen. Such antibodies have produced a revolution in the level at which antibody-antigen reactions can be analyzed leading to precise definition of important epitopes, to methods for purifying antigens, improved diagnostic methods and, it is anticipated, to new methods of therapy.

---

interspecific hybridoma

one formed by fusion of cells from two different species, such as mouse and rat or hamster.