Mammalian Cell Culture Laboratory: Equipment and Other Materials

Abstract

This chapter describes all the instruments necessary to work in a cell culture laboratory safely and effectively, including the maintenance and propagation of cultured mammalian cells. In a well-designed and established mammalian cell culture laboratory, the main cell culture facility is equipped with laminar flow hood/biosafety cabinets, CO₂ incubator, inverted microscope, and other accessory grade small instruments such as temperature-controlled tabletop centrifuges, hemocytometer, or automated cell counter. All these instruments are necessary for mammalian cell culture and can be maintained safely and easily. The anti-room is generally located just outside the main cell culture laboratory which is a buffering zone before entering the main cell culture laboratory to limit the dust particles and microorganisms inflow from the laboratory personnel. This anti-room may be utilized for keeping shoe racks and disposable personal protective equipment (PPE) or accessories. Here, laboratory personnel should wear laboratory dress codes and disposable protective clothes before entering the main cell culture laboratory. A HEPA filter room and a shower room are also located adjacent to the anti-room. The outer cell culture laboratory should be generously equipped with various instruments related to hot moisture/dry heat sterilization (autoclave/oven, etc.) and washing (big sinks), medium preparation (chemical storage self, balance, refrigerators, water bath, water purification system, etc.), maintenance of cultured cells(−20 °C and −80 °C deep freezers, liquid nitrogen containers, etc.), and storage racks of sterile, disposable cell culture containers (plate, flasks, tubes, pipettes, etc.). Various general safety instruments (e.g., eye wash station) and biohazard disposal containers are also assigned space in this outer cell culture laboratory. This chapter briefly narrates all these instruments and their usefulness.