Author
Home > Science > What is the Difference Between Cybrids and Hybrids?

Guilherme Mazui

•3 minutes to read

What is the Difference Between Cybrids and Hybrids?

🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚

Cybrids and hybrids are both eukaryotic cell lines created by fusing cells, and they are widely used in cytogenetics. However, there are some key differences between them:

  1. Fusion process: Cybrids are generated by fusing a nucleated cell with a cytoplast, while hybrids are created by fusing two nucleated cells.
  2. Nuclear genetic material: Cybrids contain nuclear genetic material from one species and cytoplasm from another, whereas hybrids have nuclear genomes from both parental species.
  3. Also known as: Cybrids are also referred to as cytoplasmic hybrids or heteroplasts, while hybrids are called somatic hybrids.
  4. Application: Cybrids are used to study organelle-nuclear interactions, gene mapping, and somatic hybrids, while hybrids are employed for research into disease, gene expression, evolution, and other areas.

Both cybrids and hybrids have some similarities, such as being useful in research on diseases, gene expression, evolution, and other topics, and being expensive to produce. They also face legal issues due to their ethical implications.

On this page
  • What is the Difference Between Cybrids and Hybrids?
  • Comparative Table: Cybrids vs Hybrids

    • Comparative Table: Cybrids vs Hybrids

    Here is a table comparing the differences between cybrids and hybrids:

    Feature Cybrids Hybrids
    Definition Cybrids are generated by fusing nucleated cells with cytoplasts. Hybrids are generated by fusing two nucleated cells.
    Also Known As Cytoplasmic hybrids or heteroplasts. Somatic hybrids.
    Formation Involves fusion of nuclear genetic material of one species with the cytoplasm of another. Involves fusion of nuclear genomes of two distinct plant species or varieties.
    Genetic Composition The resulting cybrid organism possesses the mitochondrial DNA of one species and the chloroplasts of another. The resulting hybrid plant possesses traits from both parent strains.
    Applications Can be used for studying cytoplasmic factors that influence plant features, understanding how cytoplasmic inheritance affects plant traits, and crop enhancement. Can be used for research into cell division regulation, gene expression, malignant transformation, viral replication, gene or chromosomal expression, and monoclonal antibody production.
    Production Cost Both cybrids and hybrids are expensive to produce. Both cybrids and hybrids are expensive to produce.
    Legal Issues Face legal issues due to ethical implications. Face legal issues due to ethical implications.

    Both cybrids and hybrids are created through genetic modifications and are used in various research fields, such as cytogenetics, disease studies, gene expression studies, and population genetics. However, they differ in their genetic composition and formation methods, as well as their applications in research.

    Read more:

    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.