What is in vitro

In vitro refers to experiments or studies that are conducted outside of a living organism or cell, usually in a laboratory setting. The term “in vitro” is Latin for “in glass,” which refers to the use of glassware, such as test tubes, petri dishes, and flasks, to conduct experiments.

In vitro studies can be conducted on a wide range of biological and chemical systems, such as cell cultures, isolated tissues, or biochemical reactions. In vitro studies can be used to investigate the molecular mechanisms of diseases, test the efficacy and safety of drugs or compounds, or to study fundamental biological processes, such as cell signaling or protein-protein interactions.

In vitro studies have several advantages over in vivo studies, which are studies conducted in living organisms. In vitro studies are generally more controlled and reproducible, as they allow for precise manipulation of experimental conditions and the use of standardized assays. In vitro studies can also be conducted more rapidly and at lower cost than in vivo studies.

However, in vitro studies also have limitations. In vitro studies may not fully reflect the complexity and diversity of living organisms, and the results obtained from in vitro studies may not always be applicable to in vivo situations. In vitro studies may also have limited relevance to the physiological or clinical outcomes of interest.

Overall, in vitro studies are an essential tool in biological and medical research and are often used in conjunction with in vivo studies to provide a more comprehensive understanding of biological systems and processes.