Maximum application of animal cell culture technology today is in the production of
Answers
Animal cells extracted from their tissue or organs are cultured in aseptic laboratory with environmental conditions same as in vivo and this technique is called as animal
cell culture. Animal cells can grow as anchorage dependant or suspension culture. Cell culture techniques are used in cell and molecular biology research and studies.
Some of the important areas where cell culture plays an important role are toxicity testing, cancer research, virology, gene therapy, drug discovery and many more.
Animal Cell Culture Applications:
1.Model System:
Cell culture are used as model system to study basic cell biology and biochemistry, to study the interaction between cell and disease causing agents like bacteria, virus,
to study the effect of drugs, to study the process of aging and also it is used to study triggers for ageing.
2.Cancer Research:
The basic difference between normal cell and cancer cell can be studied using animal cell culture technique, as both cells can be cultured in laboratory. Normal cells can
be converted into cancer cells by using radiation, chemicals and viruses. Thus, the mechanism and cause of cancer can be studied. Cell culture can be used to
determine the effective drugs for selectively destroy only cancer cells.
3.Virology:
Animal cell cultures are used to replicate the viruses instead of animals for the production of vaccine. Cell culture can also be used to detect and isolate viruses, and
also to study growth and development cycle of viruses. It is also used to study the mode of infection.
4.Toxicity Testing:
Animal cell culture is used to study the effects of new drugs, cosmetics and chemicals on survival and growth of a number of types of cells.Especially liver and kidney
cells. Cultured animal cells are also used to determine the maximum permissible dosage of new drugs.
5.Vaccine Production:
Cultured animal cells a re used in the production of viruses and these viruses are used to produce vaccines. For example vaccines for deadly diseases like polio, rabies,
chicken pox, measles and hepatitis B are produced using animal cell culture.
6.Genetically Engineered Protein:
Animal cell cultures are used to produce commercially important genetically engineered proteins such as monoclonal antibodies, insulin, hormones, and much more.
7.Replacement Tissue or Organ:
Animal cell culture can be used as replacement tissue or organs. For example artificial skin can be produced using this technique to treat patients with burns and ulcers.
However research is going on artificial organ culture such as liver, kidney and pancreas. Organ culture techniques and research are being conducted on both embryonic
and adult stem cell culture. These cells have the capacity to differentiate into many different types of cells and organs. It is belived that by learning to control the
development and differentiation of these cells may be used to treat variety of medical conditions