Control of growth and cell division in plant cell suspension cultures

In batch suspension cultures variation occurs in the growth and metabolism of the ceUs both in space and with time. Viable cell populations of sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus L.), showing ~reatly reduced aggregation and more uniform morphology, can be obtained by incorporatíng enzymes lOto the culture medium. Such techniques combined with single cell clonirtg wiU take us dosee to uniformity within the culture. The problem set by the continuous change in the metabolic activities of the cells with time (during the progress of the growth cycJe of batch cultures)has beeo overcome by the use oflow-density synchronous cultures and by the establishment of steady states of growth in chemostat cultures. Expenmenlal work with sycamore cell sus~nsions is described showing (1)the achievement of prolonged cell divis.ion synchrony In 4-liter suspenslon cultures and (2)the conformity of the growth kinetics of cells in chemostat culture to the malhematical model developed by Monod (1950, Ann. Inst. Pasteur (Paris),79: 390-410)for microorganisms.