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Macpherson et al. Microbiome Res Rep 2024;3:20 Microbiome Research
DOI: 10.20517/mrr.2023.66
Reports

Review Open Access

The untapped potential of cell culture in
disentangling insect-microbial relationships

Christine V. Macpherson, Brendan A. Daisley, Elizabeth Mallory, Emma Allen-Vercoe

Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph N1G 2W1, ON, Canada.
Correspondence to: Dr. Emma Allen-Vercoe, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd.
E., Guelph N1G 2W1, ON, Canada. E-mail: eav@uoguelph.ca

How to cite this article: Macpherson CV, Daisley BA, Mallory E, Allen-Vercoe E. The untapped potential of cell culture in
disentangling insect-microbial relationships. Microbiome Res Rep 2024;3:20. https://dx.doi.org/10.20517/mrr.2023.66
Received: 13 Nov 2023 First Decision: 15 Dec 2023 Revised: 27 Jan 2024 Accepted: 22 Feb 2024 Published: 29 Feb 2024

Academic Editor: Marco Ventura Copy Editor: Dong-Li Li Production Editor: Dong-Li Li

Abstract
Cell culture is a powerful technique for the investigation of molecular mechanisms fundamental to health and
disease in a diverse array of organisms. Cell lines offer several advantages, namely their simplistic approach and
high degree of reproducibility. One field where cell culture has proven particularly useful is the study of the
microbiome, where cell culture has led to the illumination of microbial influences on host immunity, nutrition, and
physiology. Thus far, researchers have focused cell culture work predominantly on humans, but the growing field of
insect microbiome research stands to benefit greatly from its application. Insects constitute one of Earth’s most
diverse and ancient life forms and, just as with humans, possess microbiomes with great significance to their
health. Insects, which play critical roles in supporting food security and ecological stability, are facing increasing
threats from agricultural intensification, climate change, and pesticide use. As the microbiome is closely tied to
host health, gaining a more robust understanding is of increasing importance. In this review, we assert that the
cultivation and utilization of insect gut cell lines in microbiome research will bridge critical knowledge gaps
essential for informing insect management practices in a world under pressure.

Keywords: Cell culture, host-microbe interactions, insects, gut microbiome

INTRODUCTION
Cell culture typically refers to the growth and maintenance of eukaryotic cells outside of their native
[1]
environment under controlled laboratory conditions . Cultured cells may be derived from humans, insects,

© The Author(s) 2024. Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
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