Somatic fusion: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 11:54, 15 February 2025

A technique used in plant and fungal genetics

Somatic fusion, also known as protoplast fusion, is a technique used in genetics and biotechnology to combine two distinct cells into a single cell, known as a heterokaryon. This process is particularly useful in plant breeding and fungal genetics to create hybrids that possess desirable traits from both parent organisms.

Process[edit]

Somatic fusion involves the removal of the cell wall to produce protoplasts, which are cells devoid of their rigid outer layer. This is typically achieved using enzymes such as cellulase and pectinase. Once the protoplasts are prepared, they are induced to fuse using chemical agents like polyethylene glycol (PEG) or by applying an electric field in a process known as electrofusion.

The fusion of protoplasts results in the mixing of cytoplasm and the formation of a heterokaryon, which contains multiple nuclei from the different parent cells. Over time, these nuclei may fuse to form a single nucleus, resulting in a somatic hybrid.

Applications[edit]

Somatic fusion is widely used in agriculture and horticulture to produce new plant varieties with improved characteristics such as disease resistance, drought tolerance, and enhanced nutritional value. It is also used in fungal research to study genetic recombination and to develop industrial strains for the production of enzymes and other valuable biochemicals.

Advantages and Limitations[edit]

One of the main advantages of somatic fusion is its ability to combine genetic material from different species that cannot be crossed by traditional sexual reproduction. This allows for the creation of interspecific hybrids with unique combinations of traits.

However, somatic fusion also has limitations. The process can be technically challenging and may result in genetic instability or somaclonal variation. Additionally, the regulatory and ethical considerations surrounding the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) can impact the application of this technology.

Related pages[edit]

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-'''Somatic fusion''' is a form of [[cell fusion]] that occurs between two [[somatic cell]]s. Somatic cells are any cells forming the body of an organism, excluding [[germ cells]] which are involved in reproduction. Somatic fusion is a significant process in [[biotechnology]], [[genetic engineering]], and [[research]] because it allows for the combination of different genetic materials within a single cell, leading to the creation of [[hybrid cells]] with potentially novel traits or functions. This process has applications in the development of new [[pharmaceuticals]], the study of [[gene expression]] and [[disease models]], and the production of [[monoclonal antibodies]], among other areas.
+{{Short description|A technique used in plant and fungal genetics}}
+[[File:Protoplast_fusion.jpg|thumb|right|Protoplast fusion process]]
+'''Somatic fusion''', also known as '''protoplast fusion''', is a technique used in [[genetics]] and [[biotechnology]] to combine two distinct [[cells]] into a single cell, known as a [[heterokaryon]]. This process is particularly useful in [[plant breeding]] and [[fungal genetics]] to create [[hybrids]] that possess desirable traits from both parent organisms.
 ==Process==
-The process of somatic fusion involves the merging of two or more somatic cells from the same or different organisms. This can be achieved through various methods, including the use of [[chemicals]] such as [[polyethylene glycol]] (PEG), which facilitates the fusion of cell membranes, or through the application of an electric field in a technique known as [[electrofusion]]. Once the cells have fused, the resulting hybrid cell contains the genetic material from each of the original cells. The hybrid cell can then be cultured to form a [[cell line]] that possesses the combined characteristics of the parent cells.
+Somatic fusion involves the removal of the [[cell wall]] to produce [[protoplasts]], which are cells devoid of their rigid outer layer. This is typically achieved using [[enzymes]] such as [[cellulase]] and [[pectinase]]. Once the protoplasts are prepared, they are induced to fuse using chemical agents like [[polyethylene glycol]] (PEG) or by applying an electric field in a process known as [[electrofusion]].
+The fusion of protoplasts results in the mixing of [[cytoplasm]] and the formation of a heterokaryon, which contains multiple [[nuclei]] from the different parent cells. Over time, these nuclei may fuse to form a single [[nucleus]], resulting in a [[somatic hybrid]].
 ==Applications==
-Somatic fusion has a wide range of applications in scientific research and biotechnology. One of the most notable applications is in the production of [[hybridoma]] cells, which are used to generate monoclonal antibodies. These antibodies are important tools in medical research, diagnostics, and treatment. Somatic fusion is also used in [[plant biotechnology]] to create hybrid plants that combine desirable traits from different species, such as increased resistance to pests or improved nutritional content.
+Somatic fusion is widely used in [[agriculture]] and [[horticulture]] to produce new plant varieties with improved characteristics such as [[disease resistance]], [[drought tolerance]], and enhanced [[nutritional value]]. It is also used in [[fungal research]] to study [[genetic recombination]] and to develop [[industrial strains]] for the production of [[enzymes]] and other valuable [[biochemicals]].
-==Ethical and Safety Considerations==
+==Advantages and Limitations==
-As with many technologies in genetic engineering and biotechnology, somatic fusion raises ethical and safety concerns. The creation of hybrid cells, especially those that combine human and animal cells, prompts questions about the nature of these cells and their potential uses or misuses. There are also concerns about the long-term effects of releasing genetically modified organisms into the environment and the potential for unforeseen consequences. Regulatory bodies in many countries have established guidelines and oversight mechanisms to address these concerns.
+One of the main advantages of somatic fusion is its ability to combine genetic material from different species that cannot be crossed by traditional [[sexual reproduction]]. This allows for the creation of [[interspecific hybrids]] with unique combinations of traits.
-==See Also==
+However, somatic fusion also has limitations. The process can be technically challenging and may result in [[genetic instability]] or [[somaclonal variation]]. Additionally, the regulatory and ethical considerations surrounding the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) can impact the application of this technology.
-* [[Cell culture]]
-* [[Genetic modification]]
-* [[Recombinant DNA technology]]
-* [[Transgenic organisms]]
-==References==
+==Related pages==
-<references/>
+* [[Genetic engineering]]
+* [[Plant tissue culture]]
+* [[Hybrid (biology)]]
+* [[Cell fusion]]
-[[Category:Cell biology]]
+[[Category:Genetics]]
 [[Category:Biotechnology]]
-[[Category:Genetic engineering]]
+[[Category:Plant breeding]]
-{{Medicine-stub}}