BIOT 2010 - Cell Culture & Cell Processes

4 sem hrs cr

(2 hours lecture, 3 hours lab)

The laboratory will center upon techniques involving animal, plant, fungi and bacterial cell cultures. Students will be taught how to isolate, culture and preserve prokaryotic organisms. Students will be taught how to isolate, maintain and preserve eukaryotic cell cultures. Students will learn to procure cell cultures from ATCC and other repositories.

Transfer (UT) or Non-Transfer Course (UN): UN

Upon successful completion of this course the student will be expected to…

• know the structure and function of major cell components.
• understand the molecular basis of cell division, signal transduction, and gene expression.
• be familiar with the concepts of metabolism and bioenergetics within the cell.
• know and practice safety measures and aseptic techniques in the cell culture laboratory.
• identify and properly use basic equipment necessary for cell culture.
• be able to make up the medium and understand the rationale for its composition.
• be familiar with the practices and principles of cell line procurement, initiation, maintenance, and preservation.
• be familiar with methods of cell counting and passaging.
• detect and recognize contamination of cell cultures, and its potential source(s).
• understand the technologies behind the various ways to visualize, sort, and count cells.
• be familiar with various methods of transfection/transformation of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
• recognize ways by which cell culture can give rise to products/activities of economic importance or play a role in biotechnology research.
• understand the role good documentation plays in all aspects of cell culture (including history of cells, nature of cell substrate, and genetic stability) as it applies to validation in cGMPs.
• understand the concepts of Master Cell Bank (MCB) and Working Cell Bank (WCB) and their importance in the preservation of purity and integrity of cell lines as observed in cGMPs.
• understand how to assemble, adjust, and maintain a light microscope.
• be familiar with and capable of utilizing the various types of illumination that are commonly used with a light microscope.