- Ross Granville Harrison’s 1907 experiment marks a foundational moment in the history of modern cell biology. He was the first to successfully grow animal cells outside the body in a controlled environment, a process now known as in vitro cell culture.
- Harrison extracted embryonic nerve cells from frog embryos and placed them in a drop of coagulated lymph, which provided a nourishing and protective environment. This drop was sealed between a glass slide and cover slip to maintain sterility and humidity. Over the course of several days, he observed that the nerve cells not only survived but also extended axons—an indication of active growth and differentiation.
- This simple yet elegant setup was revolutionary because it demonstrated for the first time that animal cells could live, function, and grow outside the organism. Before this, scientists believed that cells were too dependent on the body’s internal environment to survive independently. Harrison’s experiment overturned that assumption and provided strong evidence that cells are autonomous units capable of development given the right conditions. This work paved the way for the controlled study of individual cell behavior, free from the complexity of entire organisms.
- The implications of Harrison’s findings were profound. His method enabled future researchers to develop more sophisticated culture systems, including sterile techniques and artificial media that could support a wide range of cell types. These advances eventually led to the creation of continuous cell lines, such as HeLa cells, and underpinned key developments in medical and biological sciences. From vaccine production and cancer research to neurobiology and regenerative medicine, nearly all of modern cell biology traces its roots to Harrison’s original work.
- In recognition of his achievement, Ross Harrison is often referred to as the father of modern tissue culture. His 1907 experiment was not just a technical accomplishment; it shifted the conceptual framework of cell biology and allowed the cell to become a truly manipulable experimental system.
