Explants of the ciliated mucosa of the rabbit trachea are placed on collagen-coated coverslips to allow the outgrowth of cells. With this approach, it possible to obtain a robust experimental preparation in which the individual cells and their cilia can be readily identified (see right). Cells are usually ready for use after 5 -10 days in culture.
An SEM of an outgrowth of ciliated cells from a mucosal explant. Boundaries and cilia of individual cells are easily identifiable
A light micrograph of an explant culture showing a microprobe (M)
used to stimulate a single cell.
A glass microprobe (tip ~= 1 um), driven by a piezoelectric device, is used to mechanically stimulate cells by briefly (150 ms) dimpling their apical surface.