Application Note: Rapid Isolation Of Antigen-Specific Clones From Hybridoma Fusions

By Genetix Limited

Screening a hybridoma fusion and then subcloning candidate hybrids are time-consuming elements of the monoclonal antibody discovery process. The Genetix ClonePix FL provides a powerful way to find and collect antigen-specific clones in a rapid one-step process. The technology works by automatically screening the entire fusion in situ and isolating only antigen-specific clones with the desired immunoglobulin isotype. If the fusion has many antigen-positive clones, then ClonePix FL can selectively collect only the best secretors. The gentle nature of the technology ensures high viability of the selected clones (90-100%). By eliminating traditional methods and minimising the man-hours required, ClonePix FL not only shortens the process timeline, but also permits parallel interrogation of multiple antigens.

Plating hybridomas into methylcellulose-based semi-solid medium was first described 25 years ago. Using this method, Genetix has developed a technology that traps, detects and measures the relative secretion of monoclonal antibody from the hybridomas (or transfected cells such as myelomas). While the clonal colonies grow suspended in semi-solid medium, the secreted antibody is immobilised in the vicinity of the colony by isotype-specific Complex Initiation Factor and specific clones are then detected by probing with fluorescent antigen.