The ORS Spine Section hosted its first webinar on 'Cell and Organ Based Culture Conditions of the Intervertebral Disc' on October 28, led by Dr Christine Le Maitre.

The webinar covers the use of different in vitro culture conditions for intervertebral disc cells and tissues. From monolayer cultures of isolated disc cells, to the 3D culture systems routinely used to re-differentiate IVD cells towards the in vivo phenotype. The use of co-culture systems to mimic the native cellular interactions within the disc will also be discussed. In addition, we will review tissue cultures from explants to whole organ culture, with discussion of the media requirements and the use of loading and loading systems to maintain disc phenotype and viability during prolonged culture. The advantages and disadvantages of the systems will also be included as well as some of their uses to date.

A special thank you to the presenters Benjamin Gantenbein, PhD, Christine Le Maitre, PhD, Fackson Mwale, PhD, and Devina Purmessur, PhD for a great presentation!

You can listen to the recording here.