Cell culture

Definition

Cell culture is a technique used to grow and maintain cells in a controlled environment outside of their natural biological context. This method allows researchers to study cellular behavior, test drugs, and produce biological products, making it essential in fields like biochemical engineering and biotechnology.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Cell culture can involve either primary cells, which are directly taken from living tissue, or established cell lines that have been adapted to grow continuously in vitro.
2. Contamination is a major concern in cell culture; aseptic techniques and proper handling are crucial to prevent microbial contamination that can compromise experiments.
3. The composition of the culture medium, which provides nutrients and growth factors, is vital for the health and proliferation of cultured cells.
4. Cell culture has numerous applications including vaccine production, drug testing, and research into disease mechanisms at the cellular level.
5. Different types of cell cultures include adherent cultures, where cells attach to a surface, and suspension cultures, where cells float freely in the medium.

Review Questions

• How does cell culture facilitate research in biochemical engineering and biotechnology?
  • Cell culture is essential for research in biochemical engineering and biotechnology because it provides a controlled environment for studying cellular processes. By manipulating variables such as nutrient availability and environmental conditions, researchers can observe how cells respond, which helps them understand fundamental biological mechanisms. This information is critical for developing new therapies, optimizing production processes for bioproducts, and conducting drug testing.
• Discuss the importance of aseptic techniques in maintaining successful cell cultures.
  • Aseptic techniques are crucial for maintaining successful cell cultures because contamination can drastically affect experimental results. Contaminants such as bacteria, fungi, or viruses can outcompete the cultured cells for resources and introduce variables that skew data. Implementing proper aseptic techniques—like sterilizing equipment and working in a clean environment—ensures that only the desired cells proliferate, allowing accurate results and reproducibility in experiments.
• Evaluate the role of cell culture in the development of biopharmaceuticals and its impact on healthcare.
  • Cell culture plays a pivotal role in the development of biopharmaceuticals by enabling the production of therapeutic proteins, monoclonal antibodies, and vaccines. Through cell culture techniques, scientists can engineer cells to produce large quantities of these important substances efficiently. This has significantly impacted healthcare by leading to innovative treatments for diseases such as cancer and autoimmune disorders, ultimately improving patient outcomes and advancing medical science.

Related terms

Tissue Engineering: A field that combines biology and engineering to create artificial organs and tissues using cell culture techniques.

Bioreactor: A vessel or container used for growing organisms such as bacteria, yeast, or mammalian cells in controlled conditions to produce biological products.

Stem Cells: Undifferentiated cells that have the potential to develop into various cell types and are often used in cell culture for regenerative medicine.