cell fusion

views updated

cell fusion (somatic cell hybridization) The technique of combining two cells from different tissues or species in a cell culture. The cells are fused (see chemical fusogen) and coalesce but their nuclei generally remain separate. However, during cell division a single spindle is formed so that each daughter cell has a single nucleus containing sets of chromosomes from each parental line. Subsequent division of the hybrid cells often results in the loss of chromosomes (and therefore genes), so that absence of a gene product in the culture can be related to the loss of a particular chromosome. Thus the technique is used to determine the control of characteristics exerted by specific chromosomes. Hybrid cells (see hybridoma) resulting from cell fusion have also been used to produce monoclonal antibodies.

More From encyclopedia.com