szövettenyésztés

Szövettenyésztés, known in English as tissue culture, is a scientific technique used to maintain or grow cells, tissues, or organs in a sterile laboratory environment, outside of their original organism. This process relies on providing a nutrient-rich medium that contains all the necessary elements for cell survival and growth, such as sugars, amino acids, vitamins, and hormones. The medium is typically a liquid or gel.

The fundamental principle of tissue culture is to isolate cells or tissue fragments and place them in conditions that promote their proliferation and survival. This can be done for various purposes, including research, propagation of plants, and the development of regenerative medicine. In plant tissue culture, it allows for the rapid multiplication of desirable plant varieties, disease-free plants, and the conservation of endangered species. For animal tissue culture, it is crucial for studying cellular processes, testing drug toxicity, and growing cells for therapeutic applications.

Sterility is paramount in tissue culture to prevent contamination by microorganisms like bacteria and fungi, which can outcompete the cultured cells or produce toxic substances. Therefore, all procedures are carried out in a laminar flow hood or a sterile room, using sterilized equipment and media. The environmental conditions, such as temperature, humidity, and light, are also carefully controlled to optimize cell growth. Different types of tissue culture exist, including organ culture, cell culture, and explant culture, each tailored to specific research or application needs.