Biology – Antibodies and vaccination | e-Consult
Antibodies and vaccination (1 questions)
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Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is a chemical substance used in the hybridoma method to induce cell fusion. It acts as a fusogen, disrupting the membranes of the B-cell and myeloma cells, bringing them into close proximity and promoting their fusion.
PEG is essential for the success of the hybridoma method for the following reasons:
- Promotes Membrane Fusion: PEG facilitates the merging of the plasma membranes of the B-cell and myeloma cell, leading to the formation of a hybridoma cell.
- Increases Fusion Efficiency: Without PEG, the fusion rate between B-cells and myeloma cells would be very low, resulting in a low yield of hybridomas.
- Allows for Hybridoma Formation: The fusion process is the fundamental step in creating the hybridoma cell, which combines the antibody-producing capabilities of the B-cell with the immortality of the myeloma cell.
The concentration and duration of PEG exposure are carefully controlled to optimize the fusion process and minimize cell damage.