Microfluidics, pioneers of the Microfluidizer high pressure processor for cell disruption, particle size reduction and many more!

1. Basic Information About
Cell Disruption

2. Introduction
In many different industries and for many different
reasons, the concept of cell disruption is an
important process. Here is some basic information
about cell disruption so you are equipped with all
the general knowledge you need.

3. The Structure of a Cell
 First, it makes sense to describe the structure of a cell so you
can visualize exactly what is being disrupted.
All cells have a plasma
membrane, and that
membrane is the only
barrier between the
contents of the cell and
the environment, when
you’re talking about
animal cells.

4. The Structure of a Cell
 When it comes to plant cells or bacteria, there is an extra
cell wall that surrounds the plasma membrane, and this
wall is rigid.
 Cell disruption occurs easier in animal cells than it does
in plant cells, because the plant cells have several
cellulose layers that the animal cells don’t have. This
makes the plant cells quite a bit stronger and more
difficult to disrupt.

5. What Is Cell Disruption?
 Cell disruption, which is also
known as ‘bacteria cell lysis’
refers to an external force or
condition breaking down the
contents of a cell. Cell
disruption can occur by natural
or artificial means, but when it
happens artificially, it’s usually
because someone or some
organization is conducting
research.

6. What Is Cell Disruption?
 After cell disruption has occurred, the leftover material
that contains all of the contents of the destroyed cell is
called the ‘lysate’. A substance that encourages cell
disruption to happen is called a ‘lysin’.
 General osmosis that happens inside the cells of plants
and animals is one of the more common cell disruption
methods in the natural world.

7. Methods
 In a laboratory setting, there are several call disruption
methods that may be used to get the job done. According to
Bio Rad, here are some of the most common:
◦ Osmotic Lysis – the cells swell up and burst after being suspended in
a hypotonic solution.
◦ Detergent Lysis – the cells are suspended in a solution containing a
detergent to make the cell membrane soluble.
◦ Freeze / Thaw – the cells are frozen in liquid nitrogen and then thawed
out.

8. Methods
◦ Enzymatic – the cells are suspended in a solution that
contains enzymes, designed to digest the cell wall. Another
cell disruption method usually follows this one for the best
effect.
◦ Sonication – this is a harsher cell disruption method where the
cells are subject to short bursts of ultrasonic waves.
◦ French Press – the cells are subject to shear force when they
are forced through a small opening at high pressure.

9. Industries
 Cell disruption is used in several different
industries on a regular basis, and as part of the
regular process. For many products, controlling
the particle size and cell disruption is a crucial
element in order to produce products that are safe
and of high quality.

10. Industries
 Here are some of the primary industries where cell
disruption equipment is required, according to
high shear processor maker, Microfluidics:
◦ Pharmaceutical
◦ Cosmetics
◦ Biotechnology
◦ Energy
◦ Nutraceuticals & Food
◦ Chemical

11. Industries
 Cell disruption methods might be used in any of
these industries in the lab as part of research, or
as part of the manufacturing process to produce a
finished product perfectly to spec.

12. Importance
 Considering some of the industries that use cell disruption
to create their products, the process is very important.
Sending out food products or nutritional supplements or
pharmaceutical drugs that have flaws is a sure way to lose
customers and possibly a whole lot more.
 In certain industries and with some products, there really is
no room for error. Poor cell disruption methods can even
affect criminal investigations, as it is a necessary part of
the DNA extraction process.