Lecture on Cell Culture Technology: Biology of Cells In Vivo vs. In Vitro

Introduction

• Third class of the first week.
• Aim: Understand cell biology to recreate in vivo-like conditions for cell growth outside the body.

Key Concepts

• Philosophy in Cell Culture: Chemistry, physics, and biology behind cell culture techniques.
• In Vivo vs. In Vitro: Differences and how understanding in vivo conditions helps in vitro recreation.

Biological Requirements for Cell Culture

• Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide Exchange:
  • Cells need oxygen and expel carbon dioxide.
  • Proper gaseous exchange is essential; without oxygen (anaerobic conditions), cells die.
• Environmental Acidity: CO2 production can make the environment acidic if not properly managed.

Types of Cells

• Adhering vs. Non-Adhering Cells:
  • Adhering Cells: e.g., cardiac cells that stick together.
  • Non-Adhering Cells: e.g., blood cells (RBCs, WBCs) that circulate freely.
• Culturing Considerations: Decide whether to culture adhering or non-adhering cells based on their interactions and secretions.

Extracellular Matrix (ECM)

• Definition: Matrix of proteins, carbohydrates, and other molecules outside cells, providing structure and signaling.
• Role in Adhesion: Cells secrete cementing materials to adhere to substrates or other cells, forming colonies.
• Importance of ECM:
  • Signature of Colonies: Different tissues have unique ECM compositions.
  • Cell Growth Condition: Mimicking ECM is essential for growing cells outside the body.
• ECM in Culture: Coating culture dishes with the right ECM proteins allows proper cell growth.
  • Example: Hypothesis testing by altering ECM with compounds (e.g., toxins) to observe changes in cell behaviors.

Interaction with ECM

• Synthetic ECM Analogues: Discovery and use of artificial ECM that mimic natural counterparts.
  • Importance of understanding chemistry and biology behind ECM.

ECM and Cancer Cells

• Cancer and ECM:
  • Cancer cells originate from normal cells but lose their ECM barcode, allowing them to invade other tissues.
  • Explanation of how a compromised ECM barcode enables cancer cells to spread and create havoc in the body.

Conclusion

• Key Lessons:
  • Importance of understanding basic science (chemistry, biology) behind cell culture techniques.
  • Think critically about conditions and materials used for cell culture.

Next Steps

• Further exploration of cell biology and its implications for cell culture techniques will continue in the next class.

Keywords

• Cell Culture
• Gaseous Exchange
• Adhering Cells
• Non-Adhering Cells
• Extracellular Matrix (ECM)
• Cancer Cells

[Music]