CHO cells were first developed in the 1950s by Theodore T. Puck and colleagues at the University of Colorado. Over the decades, they have evolved through various sub-lines such as CHO-K1, CHO-DG44, and CHO-S, each tailored for specific research or industrial purposes.
Key characteristics of CHO cells include:
The versatility and adaptability of CHO cells have cemented their role in both academic and industrial research.
CHO cells are robust and relatively easy to culture under standard lab conditions (37°C, 5% CO2). While traditional CHO lines grow adherently, many modern derivatives are suspension-adapted, facilitating scale-up in bioreactors.
Culturing best practices:
Adhering to good cell culture practices ensures high viability and reproducibility.
CHO cells are the gold standard for producing recombinant therapeutic proteins, including monoclonal antibodies, hormones (e.g., erythropoietin), and enzymes. Their ability to perform complex post-translational modifications, especially glycosylation, makes them ideal for generating biologically active human proteins.
CHO cells are used to produce viral antigens and subunit vaccines. Their capacity to grow in suspension cultures makes them suitable for high-volume, scalable production in bioreactors.
The high transfection efficiency and stable expression capabilities of CHO cells make them ideal for gene function studies. Both transient and stable expression systems are easily established.
CHO cells are employed in preclinical testing to assess drug toxicity, cytotoxicity, and metabolic responses. Their predictability and ease of genetic manipulation enhance their utility in pharmacology.
Researchers use CHO cells to investigate signaling pathways and receptor function. Engineered CHO cell lines are available for G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) analysis and kinase signaling studies.
Cytion offers premium-grade CHO cells (Catalog No. 603479) optimized for consistency, viability, and performance. These cells are authenticated and pathogen-free, ensuring reliability for high-stakes research and production.
Cytion CHO cells are suitable for:
Cytion provides a certificate of analysis with every batch, ensuring transparency and traceability.
Researchers benefit from Cytion’s rigorous quality control, enabling seamless integration of CHO cells into demanding experimental workflows.
These practices help maximize protein yields and maintain experimental fidelity.
Several sub-lines of CHO cells have been developed for targeted applications:
Each variant brings unique advantages, offering researchers flexibility based on experimental needs.
CHO cells are considered Biosafety Level 1 (BSL-1), indicating minimal risk under standard laboratory conditions. Cytion ensures ethical sourcing and compliance with international cell line handling and distribution guidelines.
As bioprocessing evolves, CHO cells continue to lead innovation in synthetic biology and biomanufacturing. New tools, such as CRISPR-based genome engineering and single-cell analysis, are enhancing the performance and predictability of CHO-based systems.
Emerging trends include:
CHO cells are also being explored in gene therapy vector production and personalized medicine applications.
CHO cells have revolutionized biotechnology and continue to be the preferred system for recombinant protein production and cellular research. Their adaptability, ease of use, and ability to perform human-like post-translational modifications make them indispensable in academic and industrial settings alike.
Cytion’s CHO Cells offer a trusted, high-performance platform for cutting-edge biopharmaceutical and biomedical applications. With a commitment to quality, consistency, and scientific excellence, Cytion empowers researchers to advance innovation using the proven capabilities of CHO cells.