Cybrid

Cybrid is a term used in cell biology and genetics to describe a type of cell that contains a nucleus from one species and cytoplasm from another. The term is a portmanteau of "cytoplasmic hybrid." Cybrids are created through a process called cell fusion, where the cytoplasm of one cell is combined with the nucleus of another cell. This technique is often used in mitochondrial research and genetic engineering.

Creation of Cybrids

The creation of cybrids involves the fusion of two different types of cells. Typically, one cell provides the nucleus, while the other provides the cytoplasm and mitochondria. The process generally involves the following steps:

• Isolation of Cells: Cells from two different species or cell lines are isolated.
• Enucleation: The nucleus is removed from one of the cells, usually through a process called centrifugation.
• Fusion: The enucleated cell is fused with a nucleated cell using chemical or electrical methods.
• Selection: The fused cells are cultured, and those that successfully combine the nucleus and cytoplasm are selected for further study.

Applications

Cybrids have several important applications in scientific research:

• Mitochondrial Diseases: Cybrids are used to study mitochondrial diseases by combining the nucleus of a healthy cell with the cytoplasm of a cell with defective mitochondria.
• Drug Testing: They are used to test the effects of drugs on mitochondrial function.
• Genetic Engineering: Cybrids can be used to introduce new genetic material into cells for research and therapeutic purposes.

Related Concepts

• Hybrid (biology)
• Somatic cell nuclear transfer
• Mitochondrial DNA
• Cell culture
• Genetic modification

See Also

• Cell biology
• Genetics
• Mitochondrial research
• Genetic engineering
• Cell fusion

References

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