What is Cell Culture?
Cell culture is the removing of cells from a living organism into a synthetic environment. From there, scientists can study them for a variety of different purposes such as treating viruses or diseases, cloning, vaccines and other advancements in science.
Continuous vs. Finite Cells
Once
in cultivation, cells go through a stage called primary culture where the cells
are removed from tissue samples and placed in the artificial environment where
they grow increasingly. If successful,
the cells then become a cell line, which are finite. The descendants of the
original parent cells then become cell strains that need additional genetic
changes.
It is well-known that cells have a set number of times they can divide, so when some of the cells die in cultivation they are labeled finite. Of course, if the finite cells undergo a transformation due to a chemical or virus, they divide infinitely, therefore, becoming a continuous cell line.
It is well-known that cells have a set number of times they can divide, so when some of the cells die in cultivation they are labeled finite. Of course, if the finite cells undergo a transformation due to a chemical or virus, they divide infinitely, therefore, becoming a continuous cell line.
Cell Culture in America
In 1907, at John Hopkins University, Ross Harrison published a paper that revealed a new technique called cell culture that revealed how nerve fibers originated. Harrison used the embryo of a frog and his hanging drop technique that allowed whomever to observe the development of the frog fibers.
After Harrison came Alexis Carrel who developed the first successful technique for stitching together blood vessels to prevent blood clots, and spoke of growing organs outside of the body in the early 20th century.
Charles Lindbergh also came along and developed devices that would make cell and organ culture easier using his engineering skills.
In the 1950s, cell cultivation grew, and a new approach to cell culture took place with suspension culture where cells do not need a substratum, or underlying substance, to grow.
As cell culture grew, so did the vaccines and medicines available to the general public. With the advancement of cell culture and the cells cultivated many political figures also pushed scientists to help develop cures for viruses and diseases affecting hundreds of people in the United States. Among the treatments or vaccines are those for polio and chemotherapy as well as was of gene mapping and cloning. Even today, cell culture is being used in hopes on one day providing a possible way of curing cancer of all varieties.
After Harrison came Alexis Carrel who developed the first successful technique for stitching together blood vessels to prevent blood clots, and spoke of growing organs outside of the body in the early 20th century.
Charles Lindbergh also came along and developed devices that would make cell and organ culture easier using his engineering skills.
In the 1950s, cell cultivation grew, and a new approach to cell culture took place with suspension culture where cells do not need a substratum, or underlying substance, to grow.
As cell culture grew, so did the vaccines and medicines available to the general public. With the advancement of cell culture and the cells cultivated many political figures also pushed scientists to help develop cures for viruses and diseases affecting hundreds of people in the United States. Among the treatments or vaccines are those for polio and chemotherapy as well as was of gene mapping and cloning. Even today, cell culture is being used in hopes on one day providing a possible way of curing cancer of all varieties.