Glossary Item
Cells : primary cells
Effective 6 May 2019Preferred Term: primary cells
Other Terms:
- cells
Definition:
Primary cells are simply obtained by taking tissue from an animal or human. Although this is the initial step to creating a cell line it is not yet a cell line.
These cell cultures will not proliferate indefinitely and so have a limited lifespan. Primary cell cultures tend to consist of a mixed population of cells and will only produce the same types of cells present in the source tissue.
The main biosecurity risk of primary cells is the source of the cells and possible contamination.