Standard methods for cell cultures in Apis mellifera research

Abstract

Cell culture techniques are indispensable in most, if not all life science disciplines to date. Wherever appropriate cell culture models are lacking, scientific development is hampered. Unfortunately this has been and still is the case in honey bee research, because permanent honey bee cell lines have not so far been established. To overcome this hurdle, protocols for the cultivation of primary honey bee cells and of non-permanent honey bee cell lines have been developed. In addition, heterologous cell culture models for honey bee pathogens based on non-Apis insect cell lines have recently been developed. To further advance this progress and to encourage bee scientists to enter the field of cell biology based research, here we present protocols for the cultivation of honey bee primary cells and non-permanent cell lines, as well as hints for the cultivation of permanent insect cell lines suitable for honey bee research. Copyright © IBRA 2013.