What is the Difference Between Cell Line Cell Strain and Cell Type?

The difference between cell line, cell strain, and cell type lies in their role in cell culturing and their characteristics:

• Cell Line: A cell line is a subculture obtained from a primary culture, developed from a single cell, and consists of cells with a uniform genetic make-up. It is typically aneuploid, which means it has an abnormal number of chromosomes, and can grow indefinitely through serial passaging. Cell lines are prepared by continuously passaging primary cell cultures.
• Cell Strain: A cell strain is a subpopulation of a cell line that has been positively selected from the culture, by cloning or some other method. It is often characterized by unique behavioral patterns and may possess additional genetic changes since the initiation of the strain. Cell strains can have a finite lifespan and are not capable of growing through serial passaging. They are considered euploid, meaning they have a normal number of chromosomes.
• Cell Type: Cell type refers to all cells with a common phenotype, such as keratinocyte or melanocyte. This term includes all genetically identical cells that are morphologically and phenotypically different from other cell types. Cells with a common phenotype are considered the same cell type, regardless of their donor.

In summary, cell lines are continuous cultures of cells with a uniform genetic make-up, cell strains are subpopulations of cell lines with unique behavioral patterns, and cell types refer to groups of cells with a common phenotype.

Comparative Table: Cell Line Cell Strain vs Cell Type

Here is a table that outlines the differences between cell lines, cell strains, and cell types:

In summary, cell lines are subcultures obtained from primary cultures and can be grown indefinitely, while cell strains are subpopulations of cell lines with a uniform genetic make-up and a finite lifespan. Cell types refer to morphologically and phenotypically different groups of cells found in an organism.