Monoclonal antibody

Monoclonal antibodies are identical copies that bind to the same chosen target. This makes them useful for finding where a target is in the body: if a detectable label is attached to the antibodies, its position can be found with a scan.

Monoclonal antibodies are identical antibodies that recognise the same specific antigen. This makes them useful both for finding a chosen molecule in a sample and for directing a treatment towards cells carrying a chosen marker. Their production is covered separately; here the important idea is what their specific binding lets us do.

The antibodies produced by this single clone are monoclonal antibodies. They are identical and recognise the same antigen, making their behaviour highly specific and predictable.