A1_SOPs

Project summary:

Robust hepatocyte culture systems are a prerequisite for generating reproducible quantitative data, which in turn are required for modeling in systems biology. The aim of this project is to validate and refine SOPs for the isolation and cultivation of primary hepatocytes. In the first funding peroid, the focus was on mouse hepatocytes. Cells were characterized by assessing quantitative markers of detoxification, protein and glucose metabolism in close collaboration with the central platform of cell biology. SOPs for mouse hepatocytes were successfully established and all groups participating in the Freiburg network as well as U. Klingmüllers group in Heidelberg are being provided with primary mouse hepatocytes and/or cell culture technology. In the present funding period the effect of special culture components, such as extracellular matrix and co-cultured nonhepatocytes on signal transduction pathways involved in initiating and terminating hepatocyte regeneration will be analyzed. Further, we aim to establish and validate SOPs for the isolation and cultivation of human hepatocytes.