Model Systems
Animal cell culture provides a great model system for studying basic cell biology and metabolism. Animal cell culture has been used as 2D and 3D culture models in research for various experiments related to drug or infectious agent studies.
Toxicity Testing
Animal cell cultures are widely used to prevent animal testing for toxicity testing of new drugs, chemicals, and cosmetics. Major animal cell cultures used in this domain are Kidney- and liver-derived cell cultures.
Cell-based Manufacturing
Animal cell cultures can be used for the large-scale production of viruses to be used in vaccine production. This strategy has been used for various vaccines like polio, rabies, measles, chickenpox, and hepatitis B.
Other than virus production, animal cell culture can be used for the production of genetically modified products for medical and commercial value. The types of products can be monoclonal Abs, insulin, hormones, etc.
Drug Screening and Development
In the pharmaceutical industry, animal cell culture-based assays have become increasingly important. They are used not only for toxicity but also for high throughput drug screening.
Cancer Research
Animal cell cultures have been used for biomarker and molecular studies in oncology research. Moreover, cancer cells in culture can also serve as drug testing models for several anticancer compounds. Recent studies in cancer look forward to selectively kill cancer cells in a population mixed with normal primary cells.
Virology
Animal cell culture has been used in the replication of viruses to bypass the use of animal models. These replicated viruses can be used for vaccine production or basic virus isolation and research.
Genetic Engineering
Genetic engineering revolves around the idea of reprogramming genes to produce new proteins. Transfection is the ability to induce new genetic material in cells. Animal cell cultures can be used for transfection to produce new proteins in large quantities for clinical study or therapeutic purposes.
Gene Therapy
As we know animal cell cultures can be used for genetic engineering, these engineered cells can be also be used for therapy. Cells can be removed from a patient and can be replaced by engineered cells having the desired functional gene. An alternative approach is to add the missing gene in the patient’s cells using a viral vector.
Stem Cell Therapy
Animal cell cultures of stem cells, especially mesenchymal and hematopoietic stem cells, have been used for stem cell therapy applications and stem cell research. Animal cell cultures of somatic cells have also been used in induced pluripotent stem cell research.
About the Programme
This sector grew profoundly and its significance was recognized quickly around the world. The major goals of this developing research field are the identification of animal types, their characterization, and breeding. Animal biotechnology is substantially relevant in miscellaneous industries involving food quality assurance, assessment of dairy, and other animal products apart from introducing pure-bred, ailment-free species.
Therefore, if you are a zoophilist and have opted for animal science as your career, animal biotechnology provides you with umpteen possibilities. Animal Biotechnology is deeply rooted in the research and development industries. Animal biotechnology career opportunities have enormously expanded with the recruitment of personnel including administrative persons, mathematicians, researchers, technicians, and principal investigators.
