Cell Culture

Cell culture refers to the removal of cells from an animal or plant and their subsequent growth in a favorable artificial environment.

Cell culture is one of the major tools used in cellular and molecular biology, providing excellent model systems for studying the normal physiology and biochemistry of cells. It is also used in drug screening and development, and large-scale manufacturing of biological compounds. The major advantage of using cell culture for any of these applications is the consistency and reproducibility of results that can be obtained from using a batch of clonal cells.

Culture conditions vary widely for each cell type, but the artificial environment in which the cells are cultured invariably consists of a suitable vessel containing a substrate or medium that supplies the essential nutrients, growth factors, hormones, and gases (O2, CO2), and regulates the physicochemical environment such as pH, osmotic pressure, and temperature.

Cell Culture For Human Health

In the study by Bhagwat et al., cell culture was used to establish a model system for studying the Zika virus. The researchers used Vero cells, a type of monkey kidney cell, to grow the virus in vitro. The Vero cells were infected with the Zika virus, and the researchers monitored the growth and replication of the virus over time. By studying the virus in cell culture, the researchers were able to identify potential antiviral drugs that could inhibit viral replication. 

This approach allowed researchers to screen a library of drugs and identify several compounds that showed promising antiviral activity against the Zika virus. The use of cell culture in this study was critical for the identification of potential drug candidates and provided a valuable tool for studying the Zika virus.