[A new genetic technology makes the production of human monoclonal antibodies simpler]

New advances in DNA technology have enabled repertoires of antibodies to be cloned and expressed in bacteria (E coli), thus creating libraries of antibody DNA. In principle, heavy and light chain DNA is amplified from lymphocyte RNA and combined into vectors that enable antibody molecules to be expressed on the surface of phage particles which carry the DNA for the corresponding antibody in their genomes. The system constitutes an ideal tool for use in selecting even rare antibodies from libraries of millions. The new advances have greatly facilitated the generation of monoclonal antibodies against various substances. In particular, human monoclonal antibodies are now more easily obtained with DNA technology than with the methods previously used. Many of the antibodies generated with the new techniques were derived from lymphocyte RNA from immune donors, though the isolation of specific antibodies from libraries originating from donors who have never been in contact with the particular antigens has recently been reported. Moreover, the binding characteristics of the immunoglobulins isolated have subsequently been enhanced in vitro. Thus, modern antibody cloning techniques give promise of allowing the generation of a wide range of specific antibodies from a single, diverse library of antibodies kept 'on the shelf' in the laboratory, without needing to immunise humans or animals. The impact on biomedical science is likely to be profound, as specific reagents for use in research or therapy will be easily obtained, irrespective of whether human or other mammalian antibodies are required.