Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have proven to be instrumental in the advancement of research, diagnostic, industrial vaccine, and therapeutic applications. The use of mAbs in laboratory protocols has been growing in an exponential fashion for the last four decades. Described herein are methods for the development of highly specific mAbs through traditional hybridoma fusion. For ultimate success, a series of simultaneously initiated protocols are to be undertaken with careful attention to cell health of both the myeloma fusion partner and immune splenocytes. Coordination and attention to detail will enable a researcher with basic tissue culture skills to generate mAbs from immunized rodents to a variety of antigens (including proteins, carbohydrates, DNA, and haptens) (see Note 1). Furthermore, in vivo and in vitro methods used for antigen sensitization of splenocytes prior to somatic fusion are described herein.