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How are primary cell cultures obtained from a living organism?

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tissue culture Tissue culture often requires sterile working conditions and thus is typically performed in a laminar flow cabinet (or tissue culture hood), which circulates filtered air to reduce the risk of culture contamination.

Primary cell cultures are obtained by excising normal cells, tissues, or organs directly from a living organism through a biopsy.1

Once the tissue sample is collected, it is prepared for the laboratory environment by dispersing a tiny sample of the tissue on or in a culture medium. To ensure the cells survive and function, the culture is then incubated in a container, such as a flask, tube, or plate, typically at a temperature that mimics the organism's natural environment. Throughout this process, researchers must maintain strict sterile conditions to prevent contamination by microorganisms.1

These primary cultures are valued because they effectively model the natural function of the specific cell, tissue, or organ being studied. However, because these cells are mortal and eventually undergo replicative senescence—a point known as the Hayflick limit—they can only be maintained for a limited number of generations.1