Cells: The Tiny Powerhouses of Drug Discovery!

              drug research

The tiny powerhouses within us—CELLS—play a starring role in the exciting world of drug discovery! But how do researchers utilize different cell types to develop new treatments? It all starts with the cell selection dilemma! Wait, let me explain what I meant!

Consider our body as a vast library, but instead of books, it's filled with millions of cell types, each with unique functions. If you have to pick one book and try to alleviate what is plaguing it, it will be challenging. That is the same dilemma researchers face: choosing the right "cell-ebrity" for their specific research needs. There are three main categories of the cells that are present:

  • Immortalized Cell Lines: These are the cells that can be grown indefinitely, offering a reliable source for various experiments. However, they do not always perfectly reflect what happens inside the body.

  • Dissociated Tumor Cells (DTCs): Directly extracted from tumors, these cells offer a more realistic picture of the disease. They include a diverse population of cells, like potential immune fighters like tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, which is crucial for understanding the immune response.

  • Primary Cells: These are healthy cells that are derived from healthy tissues. These cells, when grown in a 3D environment, will closely resemble their source but might change over time in culture.

Rather than utilizing animals for drug testing, we can use cells to understand how drugs affect humans. It is a better model that results in consistent results when going from preclinical to clinical trials. Read more about how cells can contribute to your drug research here.

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