Tetrahymena: a model for growth, cell cycle and nutritional studies, with biotechnological potential.
Tetrahymena has been used as a model cell system in many studies of morphogenesis, conjugation, gene mapping, cell division and growth kinetics. In this article, we consider some advances which have resulted from the successful development of a chemically defined medium (CDM), and how subsequent work has extended the contribution that this organism has made to our understanding of different aspects of growth, nutrition, cell cycle control, cytokinesis and intercellular signalling. Finally, we discuss the considerable potential that has arisen for the biotechnological exploitation of this big and rapidly growing eukaryotic cell.
Cell Pathology Laboratory, University Medical School, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, UK.
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Wheatley
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Rasmussen
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Tiedtke
D000818:Animals; D001709:Biotechnology / Q000379:methods; D002453:Cell Cycle; D002633:Chemotaxis; D006133:Growth Substances; D008954:Models, Biological; D013768:Tetrahymena / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000648:ultrastructure
D006133:Growth Substances