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Which kinds of cells, tissues, and organs can be grown using tissue culture?
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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.
In biological research, tissue culture is a versatile method used to maintain and study various biological components in an artificial environment. Researchers can cultivate a wide range of materials, including:
- Single cells: Cultures can be initiated from individual cells, which may eventually form uniform populations known as clones.1
- Populations of cells: This includes various cell types, such as stem cells (including mammalian and human embryonic stem cells), white blood cells, and specialized cells like nerve cells or cartilage cells.123
- Tissues: Fragments of tissue excised from organisms, such as those collected via biopsy, can be grown to model natural functions.1
- Organs or parts of organs: Whole organs or portions thereof can be maintained in culture, a practice that has contributed to advancements in transplant medicine.12
These samples are typically derived from both animal and plant sources. Whether starting from a single cell or a complex organ, these cultures allow scientists to observe biological processes, such as growth, metabolism, and responses to experimental treatments, outside the constraints of the whole organism.13