Zellmaterial

Zellmaterial (German for "cell material") is a broad term used in biology, medicine and forensics to denote material derived from cells. It is not a single substance but samples that originate from cellular material. Zellmaterial can include intact cells in suspension, tissue fragments, cultured cells, cell lysates and subcellular components such as organelles, nucleic acids and proteins.

Common sources are blood, biopsy or surgical specimens, cerebrospinal fluid, urine with epithelial cells, and cultured cell lines. The exact composition depends on source and preparation and may include whole cells, fragments, DNA, RNA, proteins and metabolites.

Preservation and handling: Fresh Zellmaterial requires stabilization or prompt processing. Methods range from cryopreservation of viable cells, to formalin fixation with paraffin embedding for histology, or alcohol-based fixatives. Long-term storage requires appropriate temperature control and meticulous documentation.

Applications: Zellmaterial is used in diagnostics (cytology and histopathology), molecular analyses (DNA, RNA, sequencing, proteomics), basic research and biotechnology. In forensics it may underpin DNA profiling and other analyses, subject to strict chain-of-custody and legal requirements.

Safety and ethics: Handling Zellmaterial entails biosafety considerations and, where applicable, informed consent and institutional approvals. Legal obligations govern collection, storage and analysis, varying by jurisdiction.