In Vitro Vs In Vivo: A History Of Modern Cell Culture

Today, cell culture is a foundational tool in the molecular sciences, involving the cultivation of cells outside their native organism. Cells obtained from patients or immortalized long ago serve as valuable tools for researchers, enabling the study of various aspects of human physiology, with these cells acting as proxies for the larger organs they originate from. However, extracting meaningful information about an organism from studying its cells is far from simple. Cells isolated in vitro are unlikely to exhibit natural behaviors, while those in vivo are often challenging to observe. Despite these challenges, significant progress has been made towards understanding the mechanisms of life and disease at the cellular level. Recent advancements in the technology used to study cells are further expanding the horizons of research, offering new possibilities for exploration. This article explores the origins of modern cell culture as well as the advantages and disadvantages of in vitro and in vivo studies.