Cell Culture and Analysis (Hands-on Course)
Learn industry relevant cell culture skills, aseptic techniques needed for handling mammalian cells, and analytics for evaluating cell quality.
This hands-on course teaches laboratory scientists and engineers how to handle and maintain mammalian cells applying appropriate aseptic techniques as well as how to evaluate cell quality using a range of analytical assays.
It provides a practical understanding of how to recover, cultivate, and preserve mammalian cells applying aseptic techniques at conventional laboratory scale. Training is focused on the hands-on application of industry relevant Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) which are enhanced by relevant virtual reality simulations. Tutorials for SOPs, data analysis, and troubleshooting, will be supported by a series of introductory and expert lectures that will enable you to:
- Apply basic aseptic techniques relevant to the culture and passaging of mammalian cells.
- Perform procedures for preserving mammalian cells and retrieving those from frozen (liquid nitrogen) storage for subsequent cultivation.
- Quantify cell numbers using a manual haemocytometer and an automated cell counter.
- Assess the viability of mammalian cells using conventional Trypan blue exclusion assay and fluorescent dyes for labelling live and dead cells.
- Identify the typical morphologies of mammalian cells and examine cell activity by immunocytochemistry and image analysis software.
- Recognise conventional cell culture equipment including Carbon Dioxide incubators and Class II Biological Safety Cabinets (BSCs) and apply that equipment for the culture of mammalian cells.
- Apply tissue culture and analytical laboratory safety procedures and recognise the importance of those protocols to safeguard laboratory personnel.
- Apply biological waste management protocols appropriate for all aspects of mammalian cell culture and analysis.
This MBI is recommended for:
The course is designed for new entrants to the biopharmaceutical sector or those transitioning from other roles who need to gain practical, hands-on mammalian cell culture skills including:
- Research and development scientists
- Bioprocess and manufacturing engineers
- Bioprocess equipment application specialist
- Laboratory and quality control technicians
Dr. Bernice Wright has 20 years of mammalian cell culture experience. Her interests are in the development of cell secretome manufacturing bioprocesses. She currently holds a Lecturer (Teaching) position related to the UCL Manufacture and Commercialisation of Stem Cell and Gene Therapies MSc programme and is a Co-investigator in the RESILIENCE UK Medicines Manufacturing Skills Centre of Excellence in the UCL Department of Biochemical Engineering. Her main focus involves investigating approaches to develop standardised bioprocess platforms for cell secretome extracellular vesicles applied as therapeutics and diagnostics.
Day 1
- Introduction to UCL and the MBI Training Programme
- Lecture: Introduction to Mammalian Cell Culture
- Lecture: Introduction to Analysis of Cell Activity
- Tutorial: Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) - Culture of Mammalian Cells
- Laboratory Demonstration: Culture of Mammalian Cells
Day 2
- Hands-On Laboratory Activity: Subculture of Mammalian Cells
- Hands-On Laboratory Activity: Measuring Cell Viability
- Hands-On Laboratory Activity: Preserving Cells and Cell Banking
- Tutorial: Cell Viability Data Analysis and Troubleshooting
- Tutorial: Immunocytochemistry SOP, data analysis, and troubleshooting
- Hands-on Laboratory Activity: Cell Fixation
Day 3
- Hands-on Laboratory Activity: Cell Fixation
- Hands-on Laboratory Activity: Immunocytochemical Staining of Cells
- Hands-on Laboratory Activity: Immunocytochemistry and Image Analysis
- Lectures: Industry Guest Speakers
Key Information
Dates: Next dates 2025/26
Module Leader: Dr Bernice Wright
Location: UCL East - Marshgate
Price: £1950
Contact
E: mbi-training@ucl.ac.ukT: +44 (0) 20 7679 9613
