(Source - ResearchGate)
Primary Cell Culture
Primary cell culture is the culture of cells that have been directly isolated from living tissue. These cells are usually taken from animals or humans and are grown in vitro under controlled conditions. Primary cell culture is useful for studying the properties and behavior of cells in their natural state, as they have not been previously cultured in a laboratory.
Primary cell culture has several advantages, including:
· Cells retain their original characteristics, including genetic and phenotypic traits.
· Cells behave more similarly to their in vivo counterparts.
· Primary cell culture can be used to study cell differentiation, cell signaling, and cell-to-cell interactions.
However, primary cell culture has some limitations, including -
- Limited lifespan - Primary cells have a finite lifespan and eventually stop dividing and die.
- Variability - Primary cells can show variability in growth and behavior due to differences in tissue source and donor characteristics.
Secondary Cell Culture
Secondary cell culture, also known as cell passaging, is the process of transferring cells from one culture vessel to another. Secondary cell culture is usually done when primary cells have reached confluence, or maximum cell density, and are no longer dividing.
Secondary cell culture has several advantages, including -
· The ability to generate a large number of cells from a small number of starting cells.
· The ability to maintain cells in culture for longer periods of time.
· The ability to study the effects of drugs and other compounds on cell behavior.
- Variability - Primary cells can show variability in growth and behavior due to differences in tissue source and donor characteristics.
Secondary Cell Culture
Secondary cell culture, also known as cell passaging, is the process of transferring cells from one culture vessel to another. Secondary cell culture is usually done when primary cells have reached confluence, or maximum cell density, and are no longer dividing.
Secondary cell culture has several advantages, including -
· The ability to generate a large number of cells from a small number of starting cells.
· The ability to maintain cells in culture for longer periods of time.
· The ability to study the effects of drugs and other compounds on cell behavior.
However, secondary cell culture also has some limitations, including -
- Changes in cell characteristics - Cells can undergo changes in their genetic and phenotypic traits with continued passaging.
- Loss of differentiation potential - Cells can lose their ability to differentiate into specialized cell types with continued passaging.
- Risk of contamination: Secondary cell culture increases the risk of contamination from microorganisms and other contaminants
Types of Plant Cell Culture
There are two main types of plant cell culture: callus culture and suspension culture.
Callus Culture
Callus culture is a type of plant cell culture in which cells undergo dedifferentiation and form a mass of undifferentiated cells, called a callus. The callus can then be used for tissue culture, plant regeneration, and genetic engineering.
Suspension Culture
Suspension culture is a type of plant cell culture in which cells are suspended in liquid media and grow as a suspension. This type of culture is often used for large-scale production of secondary metabolites, such as pharmaceuticals and plant-derived chemicals.
Nutrient Media Used in Plant Cell Culture
Plant cell culture requires a nutrient medium that provides essential nutrients and growth factors for plant cells. The composition of the nutrient medium can vary depending on the type of culture and the intended use.
MS Medium
The Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium is one of the most widely used nutrient media in plant cell culture. It contains macronutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, and micronutrients, such as iron and zinc. The MS medium also contains plant growth regulators, such as auxins and cytokinins, which are necessary for plant growth and development.
B5 Medium
The Gamborg's B5 medium is another commonly used nutrient medium in plant cell culture. It contains macronutrients and micronutrients, as well as vitamins and growth regulators.
WPM Medium
The Woody Plant Medium (WPM) is a nutrient medium specifically designed for woody plant species. It contains macronutrients, micronutrients, and vitamins, as well as growth regulators such as auxins and cytokinins.
(Source - Microbiology Note)
Uses of Plant Cell Culture
Plant cell culture has many applications, including -
· Plant Propagation
Plant cell culture can be used for plant propagation, in which plant tissues are cultured in vitro to produce new plants. This technique is useful for propagating rare or endangered plant species or for producing large numbers of genetically identical plants.
· Genetic Engineering
Plant cell culture can be used for genetic engineering, in which foreign DNA is introduced into plant cells. This technique can be used to produce plants with desired traits, such as resistance to pests and diseases or increased yield.
· Production of Secondary Metabolites
Plant cell culture can be used for the large-scale production of secondary metabolites, such as pharmaceuticals and plant-derived chemicals. This technique can be used to produce rare or valuable compounds that are difficult to extract from plant tissues.
Plant cell culture is a powerful technique with many applications in plant biology, biotechnology, and agriculture. Callus culture and suspension culture are the two main types of plant cell culture. Nutrient media, such as MS medium, B5 medium, and WPM medium, provide essential nutrients and growth factors for plant cells. Plant cell culture is used for plant propagation, genetic engineering, and production of secondary metabolites, among other applications.
Written by Narayanamanikandan B
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