The unplanned discovery of monoclonal antibodies: The basic work of two successive postdoctoral scientists

The early work on the somatic cell genetics of mouse myeloma which laid the practical and theoretical foundation, and finally first production, of monoclonal antibodies by cell fusion was performed by two postdoctoral scientists aiming at answering three basic questions. Apparently it was not realized, until the data were given at a seminar, that a major new technology had been created. Thus this story illustrates the importance of basic questions being pursued rather than applied topics.*