Plant and animal whole cells, in sol-gel matrices

Relatively less work has been done on immobilization of plant and animal cells and spores of microbes in silica matrixes. The main drawback is less viability of the cells in sol-gel matrices. Thus more refined methods are required to utilize harness of the whole cells entrapped in sol-gel matrices and biosensing applications. At the same time studies such as interactions between sol-gel matrices and whole cells and metabolic changes during immobilization have to be closely monitored for the exploration of new matrices and methods. 

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