<p>Hybridoma cells are cultured in a microencapsulated state, whereby the antibodies produced by certain hybridoma cells are retained in the capsules. An antibody-binding substance labeled with a fluorescent substance, for instance, is reacted with the antibodies in the capsules to thereby detect the presence or absence of an antibody in each capsule and thus distinguish antibody-producing hybridomas from cells incapable of antibody production. Antibody-producing hybridoma cells can be distinguished from cells incapable of antibody production by a novel method other than ELISA.</p>
