Media Preparation and Optimization
Expert-defined terms from the Certified Specialist Programme in Cell Culture course at Greenwich School of Business and Finance. Free to read, free to share, paired with a professional course.
Aseptic Technique refers to a set of practices used to minimize the risk of cont… #
Related terms include sterile filtration, laminar flow, and biohazard safety. Aseptic technique is crucial in cell culture to prevent contamination and ensure the growth of healthy cells. For example, when handling cells, it is essential to use sterile pipettes and filtered tips to prevent the introduction of microorganisms.
Bioreactor is a device used to cultivate cells or microorganisms in a controlled… #
Related terms include cell culture vessel, fermenter, and bioprocess. Bioreactors can be used to produce a wide range of products, including vaccines, antibodies, and therapeutic proteins. For instance, a stirred-tank bioreactor can be used to cultivate cells in a controlled environment, with parameters such as temperature, pH, and oxygen levels carefully monitored.
Cell Bank is a repository of cell lines that have been characterized and… #
Related terms include cell line, cell stock, and seed stock. Cell banks are essential for maintaining the consistency and quality of cell culture experiments. For example, a cell bank can be used to store authenticated cell lines, which can then be used to initiate new cell culture experiments.
Cell Culture is the process of growing cells in a controlled environment, often… #
Related terms include tissue culture, cell line, and bioprocess. Cell culture involves the use of a range of techniques, including passaging and splitting cells, to maintain healthy cell growth. For instance, cells can be cryopreserved to maintain their viability and then thawed for use in future experiments.
Cell Line is a population of cells that have been immortalized and can be… #
Related terms include cell culture, cell bank, and cell stock. Cell lines are widely used in research and development, including the production of biopharmaceuticals. For example, a hybridoma cell line can be used to produce monoclonal antibodies.
Cell Medium is a liquid or semi #
solid substance used to support the growth of cells in culture. Related terms include culture medium, growth medium, and nutrient medium. Cell medium typically contains a range of nutrients and growth factors that support cell growth and maintenance. For instance, a defined cell medium can be used to support the growth of primary cells.
Cell Passage is the process of subculturing cells to maintain their growt… #
Related terms include cell splitting, cell subculture, and cell propagation. Cell passage involves the use of enzymatic or mechanical methods to dissociate cells, which can then be reseeded into a new culture vessel.
Cell Stock is a collection of cells that have been expanded and charac… #
Related terms include cell bank, cell line, and seed stock. Cell stocks are used to initiate new cell culture experiments and can be stored for future use. For example, a cell stock can be used to initiate a new cell culture experiment, with cells then being passaged and expanded as needed.
Certified Specialist Programme in Cell Culture is a training program designed to… #
Related terms include cell culture, cell biology, and biotechnology. The program covers a range of topics, including cell culture techniques, cell biology, and bioprocess development.
Contamination is the introduction of microorganisms or other foreign s… #
Related terms include aseptic technique, sterile filtration, and biohazard safety. Contamination can be prevented through the use of sterile equipment and filtered air. For instance, laminar flow hoods can be used to provide a sterile environment for cell culture procedures.
Cryopreservation is the process of freezing cells or tissues to preserve… #
Related terms include cell banking, cell storage, and cryoprotectant. Cryopreservation involves the use of cryoprotectants to prevent ice crystal formation and maintain cell viability. For example, dimethyl sulfoxide can be used as a cryoprotectant to preserve cells during freezing.
Culture Vessel is a container used to hold and support the growth of cells in cu… #
Related terms include cell culture flask, tissue culture dish, and bioreactor. Culture vessels can be made of a range of materials, including glass and plastic. For instance, a stirred-tank bioreactor can be used as a culture vessel to support the growth of cells in a controlled environment.
Differentiation is the process by which cells become specialized to perfo… #
Related terms include cell development, cell maturation, and cell polarization. Differentiation involves the expression of specific genes and the development of cellular structures that support specialized functions. For example, stem cells can differentiate into a range of cell types, including nerve cells and muscle cells.
Fermentation is a biological process used to produce a range of products,… #
Related terms include bioreactor, bioprocess, and cell culture. Fermentation involves the use of microorganisms or cell cultures to convert substrates into desired products. For instance, yeast fermentation can be used to produce biofuels such as ethanol.
Growth Factor is a protein or peptide that stimulates cell growth… #
Related terms include cytokine, hormone, and nutrient. Growth factors can be added to cell medium to support cell growth and cell maintenance. For example, epidermal growth factor can be used to stimulate the growth of epithelial cells.
Hybridoma is a cell line produced by fusing an antibody #
producing B cell with a myeloma cell. Related terms include monoclonal antibody, cell fusion, and cell line development. Hybridomas are used to produce monoclonal antibodies for a range of applications, including diagnostics and therapeutics.
Immortalization is the process of transforming cells to make them immo… #
Related terms include cell line development, cell transformation, and oncogenesis. Immortalization can be achieved through the use of oncogenes or viruses that disrupt normal cell cycle regulation. For instance, human papillomavirus can be used to immortalize cells by disrupting cell cycle checkpoints.
Laminar Flow is a type of air flow used to provide a sterile envir… #
Laminar flow hoods are used to prevent contamination and maintain a sterile environment. For example, a laminar flow hood can be used to provide a sterile environment for cell culture procedures.
Media Preparation is the process of preparing cell medium for use in cell cultur… #
Related terms include cell culture medium, growth medium, and nutrient medium. Media preparation involves the use of sterile techniques and filtered water to prevent contamination. For instance, autoclaving can be used to sterilize cell medium and prevent contamination.
Monoclonal Antibody is a type of antibody produced by a single clone</… #
Related terms include hybridoma, cell fusion, and antibody production. Monoclonal antibodies are used for a range of applications, including diagnostics, therapeutics, and research. For example, rituximab is a monoclonal antibody used to treat cancer and autoimmune diseases.
Optimization is the process of improving cell culture conditions to enhan… #
Related terms include cell culture optimization, bioprocess optimization, and media optimization. Optimization involves the use of statistical methods and experimental design to identify optimal conditions for cell growth and productivity. For instance, response surface methodology can be used to optimize cell culture conditions and improve product yields.
Passaging is the process of subculturing cells to maintain their growth a… #
Related terms include cell culture, cell splitting, and cell propagation. Passaging involves the use of enzymatic or mechanical methods to dissociate cells, which can then be reseeded into a new culture vessel. For example, trypsinization can be used to dissociate cells and passage them into a new culture vessel.
Primary Cell is a cell that has been isolated directly from a tissue</… #
Related terms include cell culture, tissue culture, and biopsied cell. Primary cells are used in research and development, including the study of cell biology and disease mechanisms. For instance, primary neuronal cells can be used to study neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.
Scale #
Up is the process of increasing the scale of cell culture production to meet commercial demands. Related terms include bioprocess development, bioreactor design, and cell culture optimization. Scale-up involves the use of bioreactors and fermentation systems to produce large quantities of cells or biopharmaceuticals. For example, stirred-tank bioreactors can be used to scale up cell culture production and produce large quantities of biopharmaceuticals.
Seed Stock is a collection of cells that have been expanded and charac… #
Related terms include cell bank, cell line, and cell stock. Seed stocks are used to initiate new cell culture experiments and can be stored for future use. For instance, a seed stock can be used to initiate a new cell culture experiment, with cells then being passaged and expanded as needed.
Sterile Filtration is a method used to remove microorganisms and other <i… #
Related terms include aseptic technique, laminar flow, and biohazard safety. Sterile filtration involves the use of filters with small pores to prevent the passage of microorganisms. For example, 0.2 Micron filters can be used to sterilize cell medium and prevent contamination.
Subculture is the process of transferring cells from one culture vessel t… #
Related terms include cell culture, cell passage, and cell propagation. Subculture involves the use of enzymatic or mechanical methods to dissociate cells, which can then be reseeded into a new culture vessel. For instance, trypsinization can be used to dissociate cells and subculture them into a new culture vessel.
Tissue Culture is the process of growing tissues or organs in a co… #
Related terms include cell culture, organ culture, and bioprocess development. Tissue culture involves the use of bioreactors and perfusion systems to support the growth of tissues or organs. For example, organ perfusion systems can be used to culture organs such as livers or kidneys.
Transformation is the process of altering the genetic material of cells t… #
Related terms include cell line development, gene editing, and biotechnology. Transformation involves the use of viruses or plasmids to introduce new genes into cells. For instance, CRISPR-Cas9 can be used to edit genes and introduce new traits into cells.
Trypsinization is a method used to dissociate cells from a culture vessel… #
Related terms include cell passage, cell subculture, and cell propagation. Trypsinization involves the use of trypsin to break down cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions, allowing cells to be reseeded into a new culture vessel. For example, trypsin-EDTA can be used to dissociate cells and passage them into a new culture vessel.
Vaccine is a biological preparation used to stimulate the immune system a… #
Related terms include immunization, vaccination, and biopharmaceutical. Vaccines can be produced using cell culture techniques, including the use of bioreactors and fermentation systems. For instance, influenza vaccines can be produced using cell culture techniques and bioreactors.
Viability is a measure of the health and survival of cells in cult… #
Related terms include cell viability, cell health, and cell survival. Viability can be assessed using a range of methods, including trypan blue exclusion and flow cytometry. For example, trypan blue can be used to stain dead cells and assess viability.
Xenogeneic is a term used to describe cells or tissues that are derived from a <… #
Related terms include allogeneic, syngeneic, and biocompatibility. Xenogeneic cells or tissues can be used in research and development, including the study of cell biology and disease mechanisms. For instance, xenogeneic cells can be used to study disease models and develop new therapies.
Yield is a measure of the amount of product produced by cells in culture #
Related terms include productivity, efficiency, and bioprocess development. Yield can be optimized using a range of techniques, including media optimization and bioreactor design. For example, response surface methodology can be used to optimize cell culture conditions and improve product yields.
Zygote is a cell that results from the fertilization of an egg cel… #
Related terms include embryo, stem cell, and developmental biology. Zygotes can be used in research and development, including the study of developmental biology and regenerative medicine. For instance, zygotes can be used to study embryonic development and develop new therapies for regenerative medicine.