Expanded cells refer to cells that have undergone a process of multiplication and growth in a controlled environment, typically a laboratory. This process, known as cell expansion, is used to generate a large number of cells from a smaller starting population.
Cell Expansion Explained
Cell expansion is crucial in various biomedical applications, particularly in regenerative medicine. Here's a breakdown:
- Definition: Cell expansion refers to the process of culturing isolated cells for multiple generations in order to reach the desired number of cells for a regenerative response in the patient.
- Purpose: The main goal is to obtain a sufficient quantity of cells for therapeutic purposes.
- Process:
- Cells are isolated from a source (e.g., patient's own tissue, donor tissue).
- These cells are placed in a culture medium with nutrients and growth factors.
- The cells divide and multiply over several generations.
- The expanded cells are then harvested and prepared for use.
Why is Cell Expansion Important?
Cell expansion plays a vital role in:
- Regenerative medicine: Providing cells to repair or replace damaged tissues.
- Cell-based therapies: Creating a sufficient quantity of therapeutic cells (e.g., for cancer treatment).
- Research: Producing enough cells for experiments and drug discovery.
Example
Imagine a patient with damaged cartilage in their knee. Through cell expansion:
- Cartilage cells are taken from a small sample from the patient.
- These cells are cultured and allowed to multiply in the lab.
- The expanded cells (now a much larger number) are then implanted back into the patient's knee to regenerate the damaged cartilage.
