I knew that we purchased primary hepatocytes and other cell types from vendors and that these cells are costly and precious, but didn’t really understand how they got from a live liver to a frozen vial.
The method may differ depending on which distributor you buy from. The most accurate method is to first separate the cells either enzymatically or mechanically (or both), then stain the cells of interest using a cell-specific fluorescent antibody and placing them through a cell sorter, which separates the cells by fluorescence. From there, it's just a matter of adding the cryoprotectant to the media and freezing them down.
Usually, the cell donor has already passed on and has donated their organs to science.
I hope I have thoroughly answered your question.
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