Statistical analysis of repetitive subcloning by the limiting dilution technique with a view toward ensuring hybridoma monoclonality.

After empirically determining the adequacy of the Poisson equation for describing the distribution of particles in microtiter plate wells under the experimental conditions employed for subcloning hybridoma cells, an equation was developed for determining the probability of monoclonality after repetitive subclonings. A table derived from the equation and based on the percentage of wells showing growth allows the rapid evaluation of the likelihood of monoclonality.