Mammalian cell cultures definition

The above definition of toxicity is concerned with living animals, i.e. in vivo studies. Toxicity can also be measured in vitro using mammalian cell or bacterial cultures or subcellular fractions (e.g. for mechanistic studies). However, such toxicity estimates made in vitro may not always reflect accurately the toxicity of a chemical to mammals since absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion in vivo can markedly alter the profile of toxicity (82UP10502) (see also Section 1.05.2.6). 

Li and Harrison carried out the first cell assay in microchannels [2]. This seminal work made use of electrokinetically driven flow (electroosmosis and electrophoresis) to transport bacteria, yeast, and mammalian cells in channels and to implement low-volume chemical lysis (cell death). This theme of microfluidics-based cell transport, sorting, and lysis has continued to be a popular application, as well as related work in using microfluidics to culture cells and to pattern them into structures. The utility of these methods is acknowledged (and that they are featured in several good reviews [1] and other entries in the encyclopedia) but focuses here on describing microfluidics-based cell assays that fit the definition described above - application of a stimulus and measurement of a response. 

---