Zellerhaltung

Zellerhaltung is not a standard term in scientific German; the correct term is usually Zellenhaltung, meaning cell culture or cell maintenance. When encountered, Zellerhaltung is typically a misspelling or misnomer for Zellenhaltung.

Zellenhaltung refers to the in vitro growth, maintenance, and propagation of cells in controlled laboratory conditions. It covers mammalian, plant, microbial, and insect cells, including primary cells and established cell lines. The aim is to keep cells viable, proliferating, and morphologically and genetically stable enough for experiments.

Core elements include sterile technique, appropriate culture media and supplements (for example DMEM or RPMI with serum such as fetal bovine serum, and antibiotics as needed), and controlled environmental conditions (temperature, CO2 concentration, and humidity). Cells may be grown as adherent cultures on coated plastic or as suspension cultures. Routine procedures include passaging, feeding schedules, and cryopreservation; maintaining consistent culture conditions is essential for reproducibility.

Quality control and safety are central: authentication of cell lines, contamination checks (such as mycoplasma testing), and regular monitoring of morphology and growth characteristics. Documentation and compliance with biosafety regulations are required, with different biosafety levels depending on the cell type and experiments.

In research and development, Zellenhaltung underpins work in biology, medicine, pharmacology, and biotechnology. A precise understanding of the specific requirements for each cell type is essential for data reliability, reproducibility, and ethical governance within the appropriate regulatory framework.