What does lysate mean?
A lysate is a substance produced when cells or other biological structures undergo lysis, meaning that their membranes are broken down and their contents are released. The resulting lysate may contain proteins, nucleic acids, enzymes, and other cellular components in a liquid mixture. Lysates are widely used in laboratory research as samples from which biological material can be isolated or analysed. The term is also used with blood cells and other tissues, and it may refer more narrowly to the liquid supernatant obtained after a lysate has been clarified. In everyday use, lysate is uncommon; the closely related verb lyse is more likely to appear in technical descriptions of laboratory procedures. Understanding the distinction can clarify an expression such as cell lysate: lysis is the disruptive process, while the lysate is what remains after the process has occurred.
nounA product of lysis, especially a liquid containing the soluble substances released when cells or cellular structures are broken open.
- A material, especially a liquid, containing the products released through the lysis of cells or other biological structures.
"The researcher added the clarified cell lysate to the reaction mixture."
"The sample was clarified by centrifuging the cell lysate."
"A bacterial lysate was used as the antigen in the immunoassay."
The plural is used when referring to multiple lysates or to samples obtained from different sources or preparations.
"The researchers compared the protein profiles of the two cell lysates."
When cells are broken open, their contents spill into a shared pool—and that pool is a lysate.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does lysate come from?
The English noun lysate combines lysis with the suffix -ate. Lysis comes from Greek lysis, meaning “a loosening” or “dissolution,” and is related to the Greek verb lyein, “to loosen.” Related English words include lytic, lysosome, and lysozyme, all reflecting the same Greek root associated with loosening or breaking apart.
How lysate is actually used
This is specialist terminology used in biochemistry, molecular biology, microbiology, and related biomedical fields. It is uncommon in general English.
Easily confused with lysate
To lyse is to break open cells or other structures, whereas a lysate is the material produced when lysis occurs.