What types of disaggregation techniques are used to make primary cell cultures?

Three major types of disaggregation techniques are used to make primary cell cultures, these include:

• Mechanical disaggregation is used for processing soft tissue samples (e.g. brain, spleen, liver, soft tumors, etc.). In this technique soft tissue samples are carefully sliced into pieces. Cells are then collected by forcing the tissue fragments either through a syringe and needle or through a series of sieves of progressively smaller mesh size.
• Enzymatic disaggregation is commonly used to process tissue samples when a high recovery of cells is necessary. This technique uses enzymes, such as trypsin or collagenase, to digest pieces of tissue in order to release cells.
• Primary explant technique is typically used to process small quantities of tissues. Tissue samples that have been suspended in basal salt solution are carefully sliced into pieces and washed by settlings. Once the basal salt solution has been removed tissue pieces are then transferred to a suitable growth medium and incubated for 3 to 5 days. After optimal growth has been achieved the explants are separated and transferred to a new growth medium.