Which statement best describes the purpose of hybridoma technology?

• A. To produce monoclonal antibodies
• B. To create vaccines
• C. To identify infectious agents
• D. To edit genome sequences

Answer: (A)

Hybridoma technology is used to produce monoclonal antibodies. It works by fusing a single antibody-producing B cell with an immortal myeloma cell, creating a hybrid cell line that can both divide indefinitely and secrete a single type of antibody. Because all antibodies come from one B cell clone, they are identical and recognize the same specific epitope, which makes them highly specific and reproducible for diagnostics, research, or therapy. This is why the main purpose is to generate monoclonal antibodies in large, consistent quantities. The other options describe different goals—vaccines stimulate immunity, identifying infectious agents uses various diagnostic methods, and genome editing alters DNA—not antibody production.