Tissue Culture

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Tissue culture is the method of growing plant or animal cells, tissues, or organs on a nutrient medium under sterile conditions.
It is also referred to as ‘in vitro’ culture or ‘sterile culture’.
This technique allows living cells to be maintained outside an organism for extended periods.
The term Tissue Culture was coined by Montrose Thomas Burrows.
It applies to both plant and animal tissues but is most commonly associated with plant tissue culture.

Plant Tissue Culture:
Used for growing new plants in controlled environments, sometimes involving genetic alterations.
Animal Cell Culture:
Cells are removed from animals or plants and grown in a favorable environment.
Cells such as fibroblasts, lymphocytes, or cells from cardiac and skeletal tissues can be cultured.

Plant tissue culture involves growing plant cells, tissues, or organs in artificial media under sterile conditions.
The cultured part is called an explant.
The ability of any plant part to regenerate into a whole plant is known as cellular totipotency.
The technique was first initiated by Gottlieb Haberlandt in 1902.

Aseptic Condition:
Requires sterilization of equipment and the tissue being cultured using methods like dry heat, autoclaving, or chemical sterilization.
Aeration:
Semi-solid media require no special aeration, but liquid media need a special aeration device.
Equipment:
Use of borosilicate glass is recommended to avoid chemical interference with tissue growth.
Nutrient Medium:
Varies depending on plant type and culture purpose.
Common ingredients include inorganic salts, vitamins, sucrose, and plant hormones.

Animal cell culture involves growing cells outside their natural environment under controlled conditions.
Cells are isolated from tissues using mechanical or enzymatic methods, and grown in appropriate containers with culture media.

Sterile Work Area: Clean workspace, ideally with an airflow cabinet to filter air.
Incubation Facilities: Incubators to maintain cell temperatures between 30-40°C.
Refrigerators and Freezers: For storing media and enzymes at appropriate temperatures.
Microscopes: Essential for observing cells in culture.
Washing and Sterilizing Facilities: To ensure equipment cleanliness and sterility.
Liquid Nitrogen Freezers: For long-term storage of cell lines.

Mass Production: Used commercially to produce large numbers of plants for horticulture, landscaping, and conservation.
Genetic Studies: Helps in studying plant genes and developing genetically modified plants.
Conservation: Helps preserve rare or endangered species.

Model Systems: Used for studying cell biology, drug effects, and aging processes.
Cancer Research: Helps understand cancer development and test cancer treatments.
Virology: Used for virus replication in vaccine production.
Genetic Engineering: Cells can be modified to express new genes for research or therapeutic purposes.

Provides a controlled environment for studying cellular processes.
Cultured cells can be used for drug testing, cancer research, and genetic studies.
Reduces the need for animal testing in certain studies.

Tissue culture is a crucial aspect of biotechnology, especially for applications in agriculture and medicine.
With population growth, climate change, and reduced agricultural land, plant tissue culture will play an essential role in food security and sustainability.
Animal cell culture offers valuable insights for medical research, disease treatment, and pharmaceutical development.