Growth of Single Cells from Higher Plants on Synthetic Media

Abstract

THAT isolated single cells of higher plants can develop into cell groups and tissues was first demonstrated by the use of ‘nurse’ cultures¹. Recently single cells of higher plants have been more easily grown by a ‘plating’ method; although the step from the ‘nurse’ culture to the ‘plating’ technique has required the addition of complex components, especially of coconut milk, to the basic synthetic media². Media supplemented either by coconut milk or by yeast extract have been used in all published successful experiments in which extensive cell divisions of isolated cells have been observed. Because we know almost nothing about the active principle or principles of coconut milk and since at least with certain tissues the appearance of polyploid cells is furthered by coconut milk³, experiments were undertaken with the view of growing single cells on chemically defined, synthetic media.