What is a clone number?

An antibody produced from a single hybridoma cell clone is assigned a unique clone number. This identifier corresponds to the specific cell line used during the antibody's development and production. It is important to distinguish the clone number from the lot number, which refers to a particular manufacturing batch. While different lots may vary, the performance of antibodies derived from the same clone remains highly consistent. For monoclonal antibodies, you can typically find the clone number listed on the "Overview" tab of the product datasheet. Clone numbers are especially important when comparing antibodies from different suppliers — the same clone number confirms that the underlying antibody is identical. For more on how clonality affects experimental performance, see our Monoclonal vs Polyclonal guide.

In the broader context of cell biology, clone numbers serve as unique identifiers for specific cell lines. The term "clone" may also refer to a population of cells that originated from a single somatic (non-germ) cell, effectively forming a genetically identical replica of the original cell. This concept is foundational in both antibody engineering and functional cell-based assays. With the rise of recombinant antibody technology, clone identity is now tied to a defined DNA sequence rather than a hybridoma cell line — ensuring absolute lot-to-lot reproducibility.