THE CULTIVATION OF LENS EPITHELIUM IN VITRO

1. Differentiation of the posterior cells of the lens vesicle into lens cortex has been observed in vitro. 2. It is possible to dissect out the lens of the 5 day embryo chick in such a manner as to free it from all extraneous cells. 3. Lens epithelium even at a very early stage is contained within a cuticula. 4. Lens epithelium under proper conditions will live, migrate, divide, and multiply in vitro in primary explants. 5. An unmixed strain of lens epithelium can be propagated from a primary explant by successive subcultures. This strain can be utilized for controlled experiments on the nutrition of the cells of the lens.