230 



TISSUE CULTURE TECHNIQUES 



Cleaning may be with alkalies, detergents, or with various oxidizing agents, and ster- 

 ilization may be by dry or moist heat; by antiseptics and/or antibiotics; and, to some 

 extent by washing, centrifugation and filtration. Ionizing radiations are not recommended 

 because of the high level of exposure necessary to attain real sterilization but ultra-violet 

 light appears to be effective. 



Once complete asepsis is attained, then possible contamination by the worker must be 

 examined and prevented. Aseptic techniques are learned in any good bacteriological 

 laboratory, but perfected only with hard experience and practice. The bacterium has it 

 all over the investigator, lurking everywhere ready to invade and contaminate. Thus, 

 the design of any culture laboratory is of paramount i:Tiportance. 



The tissues to be used in tissue culture studies may coine from adults, although among 

 such tissues only the tumorous ones grow readily. The adult tissues appear to elaborate 

 toxins which make them incompatible in gross transplants, and non-viable in tissue or 

 cell transplants. However, some tumors grow readily, especially the malignant types. 

 Tissues from embryos, coming from a naturally sterile source and being very active 

 mitotically, are often found to be the best for such studies. Embryonic tissues may be 

 obtained from any amphibian, fish, chick, mouse or human source. Certain of the em- 

 bryonic tissues appear to grow more readily and survive longer, and some tend even to 

 differentiate without resorting to the prior embryonic state. This variation enlivens the 

 field of the tissue culture approach to experimental embryology. 



SJJcfes 



Tubes 



F/asks 



Harrison (1907) 

 Depression slide ^\ 



Pomcrat 0951) 

 Parfuiion chambtr 



Earic 

 (1955) Shaker/Jssk 



Vessels used for cjl^uring cells and tissues 



(Figure reproduced with permission from 

 J. Paul's "Cell and Tissue Culture" 1960, 

 E. G S. Livingston, Pub., Edinburgh.) 



