The Chinese hamster (Cricetulus griseus) is a small rodent that is commonly used in biomedical research and biomanufacturing. The history of Chinese hamsters in scientific research dates back to the early 20th century.
In the 1920s, researchers at Peking Union Medical College in China captured Chinese hamsters for use in studies of human diseases such as tuberculosis and leprosy. These studies demonstrated that the Chinese hamster was an excellent model for studying these diseases, due to its susceptibility to infection and its similarity to humans in terms of immune function.
In the 1950s, Chinese hamsters were first used in studies of radiation biology, due to their sensitivity to ionizing radiation. Researchers found that Chinese hamsters had a low tolerance for radiation, making them useful for studying the effects of radiation on cells and tissues.
In the 1960s, it was first used to produce recombinant proteins, such as interferon, in large quantities. Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, derived from the ovaries of the Chinese hamster, were found to be particularly useful for this purpose, due to their ability to grow quickly and produce large amounts of protein.
Today, Chinese hamsters and CHO cells are widely used in biomanufacturing, particularly in the production of therapeutic proteins and vaccines. Chinese hamsters are also used in research on a wide range of topics, including cancer, genetics, and toxicology.
Overall, the Chinese hamster has played an important role in the history of biomedical research and biomanufacturing, and continues to be a valuable model organism for studying human diseases and developing new treatments and therapies.