Rapid selection of monoclonal antibodies with high specificity and sensitivity

Novel screening assays have been developed to rapidly eliminate the large number of unusable clones generated in somatic cell fusions. Selection of cell lines with the proper specificity has been improved by the use of a modified ELISA assay using a shortened incubation time. Increased sensitivity (approximately 1000 fold) to cross reacting compounds is obtained because the ka's of the antibodies are nearly equal while the Keq's differ in the antigen systems by as much as 2 x 10 super(5). Relative affinities of monoclonal antibodies can be determined by results of an ELISA assay when antibody dilution is plotted versus the absorbance. The assays have facilitated the rapid identification of monoclonal antibodies with high affinities and defined specificities.