Chinese hamster ovary cell

Chinese Hamster Ovary Cells[edit]

Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells in culture

Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells are a type of cell line derived from the ovary of the Chinese hamster, Cricetulus griseus. These cells are widely used in biological research and biotechnology due to their rapid growth and ability to express recombinant proteins.

History[edit]

CHO cells were first isolated in the 1950s by Dr. Theodore T. Puck and his colleagues. They have since become one of the most important mammalian cell lines used in biomedical research and pharmaceutical production.

Characteristics[edit]

CHO cells are epithelial cells that are adherent in culture. They have a relatively short doubling time, making them ideal for large-scale production. CHO cells are also known for their ability to grow in suspension cultures, which is advantageous for industrial applications.

Applications[edit]

Biotechnology[edit]

CHO cells are extensively used in the production of therapeutic proteins and monoclonal antibodies. They are preferred in the biopharmaceutical industry due to their ability to perform complex post-translational modifications, such as glycosylation, which are essential for the activity and stability of many therapeutic proteins.

Research[edit]

In academic research, CHO cells are used to study gene expression, protein folding, and cell signaling pathways. They serve as a model system for understanding the molecular biology of eukaryotic cells.

Advantages[edit]

CHO cells offer several advantages, including:

High growth rate and productivity
Ability to grow in serum-free and chemically defined media
Capability to perform human-like post-translational modifications
Well-characterized genome and availability of genetic tools

Limitations[edit]

Despite their advantages, CHO cells have some limitations:

Genetic instability over long-term culture
Potential for viral contamination
High cost of culture media and production

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