Description
CELL DISRUPTION BY NITROGEN DECOMPRESSION A rapid and effective way to:
- Homogenize cells and tissues
- Release intact organelles
- Prepare cell membranes
- Release labile biochemicals
- Produce uniform and repeatable homogenates without subjecting the sample to extreme chemical or physical stress.
Cell disruption by rapid decompression from a pressure vessel has been used for many years by investigators who wanted to overcome the limitations imposed by other cell disruption procedures. Although the technique is not new, interest in the decompression method and many new applications for it have grown rapidly in recent years following the introduction of convenient pressure equipment such as the Parr Cell Disruption Vessel. The nitrogen decompression method is particularly well suited for treating mammalian and other membrane bound cells. It has also been used successfully for treating plant cells, for releasing virus from fertilized eggs and for treating fragile bacteria. It is not recommended for untreated bacterial cells, but this restriction can be eliminated by using various pretreatment procedures to weaken the cell wall. Yeast, fungus, spores and other materials with tough walls do not respond well to this method.