Cell Culture Techniques Flashcards
What is cell/tissue culture?
Lab method by which cells are grown under controlled conditions outside their natural environment
What are the advantages of cell culture techniques?
Control of the physiochemical environment and physiological conditions
Control of the micro-environment of the cells
Cells can be easily characterised by cytological and immune staining techniques and visualised using imaging techniques
Cells can be stored in liquid nitrogen for long periods
Cells can be easily quantified
Reduces use of animals in scientific experiments
Cheaper to maintain
What is the physiochemical environment?
pH, temperature, osmolarity
What are the physiological conditions?
Hormone and nutrient levels
What is the microenvironment of the cells?
Matrix, cell-cell interactions and cell substrate attachment
What is cryptopreservation?
Cells can be stored in liquid nitrogen for long periods
What are the disadvantages of cell/tissue culture?
Inter-patient variation Limited number (at high cost) Finite lifespan and hard to maintain Difficult molecular manipulation Phenotypic instability Variable contamination
What are the methods of isolation?
Cells allowed to migrate out of an explant
Mechanical dissociation
Enzymatic dissocitation
What are the characteristics of primary tissue cells?
Cells derived directly from tissues/ patients
Finite lifespan
Cells divide and/or differentiate
Cells carry out normal functions
Why is it good if the cells are allowed to migrate out of an explant?
Retain morphological characteristics
What are the methods of mechanical dissociation?
Mincing,
Sieving
Pipetting
What enzymes are used to isolate primary tissue cells?
Trypsin Collagenase Hyaluronidase Protease DNAase
How do you separate blood cells?
Density centrifugation
Give some examples of primary non-haematopoietic cells
Liver, Endothelial cells Muscle Skin Nerves Fibroblasts Prostate
Give some examples of primary haematopoietic cells
Stem, progenitor cells T and B cells Monocyte Osteoblasts Dendritic cells Neutrophils Erythrocytes Megakaryocytes Platelets
What are the characteristics of cell lines?
Immortalised cells
Less limited (or unlimited) number of cell divisions
Phenotypically stable, defined population
Limitless ability
Easy to grow
Good reproducibility
Good model for basic science
What are the methods of production of cell lines?
Isolated from cancerous tissues
Immortalisation of healthy primary cultures
Genetic manipulation
How can you genetically manipulate cell lines?
Elongate telomeres