Tissue Culture Lab

Four TC Rooms

The Tissue Culture area is divided into four rooms based on the type of work performed.

TC1 is designed for primary human cultures not tested for any known human pathogens, viral work, parasite work and Mycoplasma status positive cell lines undergoing treatment.

TC2 is for cell lines with Mycoplasma status unknown (cell lines new to the facility), with only one Mycoplasma negative result and primary cultures negative for known human pathogens (most animal-based work from the SPF facility).

TC3 hosts cell lines with minimum two negative Mycoplasma results.

TC4 is designated for cell lines with minimum three negative Mycoplasma results cultured without antibiotics.

Mycoplasma Testing

Mycoplasma species are the smallest and simplest self-replicating bacteria that are serious microbial contaminant of cell culture systems.

Mycoplasma contamination alters many eukaryotic host cell functions including growth, morphology, metabolism, genome and antigenicity. Mycoplasma can constitute up to 50% of the total protein and 15-30% of the isolated DNA and cause significant changes in micro array and gene expression profiles. Therefore using mycoplasma-contaminated cultures in experiments would result in the generation of erroneous experimental results.

Mycoplasma status of all cell lines is regularly checked in the facility using PCR method and all new cell lines introduced to the facility undergo quarantine.

Sample preparation Mycoplasma Testing [.pdf 357KB]

Liquid Nitrogen Storage

Long term storage of all mammalian cell lines should be below -196°C. Approximately at this temperature water reaches its glass transition phase which means that all liquid water is completely frozen and all metabolic activity ceases ensuring long term sample viability.

The frozen vials of cell lines are distributed between four different dewars depending on where the cells were grown.

360° Tissue culture lab

Immerse yourself in a 360° virtual experience of our state-of-the-art Tissue Culture Laboratory.

A scientist standing at a computer, with the words Tissue Culture Incubators on the wall - play video

Training

Training is a prerequisite to independent access to our Tissue Culture shared resource equipment. Please contact Tissue Culture Facility Staff to arrange the training. The minimum training requirements are outlined below:

1. Attend a General Tissue Culture Induction

All users must attend a General Tissue Culture Induction that involves theory and practical components.

Theory
The theory component covers basic principles of the Tissue Culture including aseptic technique, contamination, cells and cell growth. Theory also covers introduction to the TC facility equipment, Liquid Nitrogen storage, handling of the solid and liquid waste and booking system.

Practical
The practical component is laboratory based, and includes correct handling and standard operating procedures. Hands-on training with continues cell lines is provided and includes: cells seeding, media change, cells splitting and cells counting.

To book your induction and training sessions please contact our Tissue Culture Facility staff.

Please also see links to the Tissue Culture SOP [.pdf 692 KB] and Aseptic Technique [.pdf 421 KB].

2. Refresher training

If it has been more than two years since you started working in the Tissue Culture facility a refresher training on aseptic technique can be arranged. Please contact our Tissue Culture Facility Staff to arrange the training.

Open hours

Appointments with our Tissue Culture facility staff are available 8am – 4pm Monday, Tuesday and Thursday (excluding Curtin observed public holidays).

Contact and feedback

If you have an enquiry or want to provide feedback, please contact:

Dr Rob Steuart
CHIRI Facilities Manager
+61 8 9266 2342
R.Steuart@curtin.edu.au

Dr Joanna Kelly
Senior Technical Officer
+61 8 9266 1634
Joanna.Kelly@curtin.edu.au

Tissue Culture Lab

360° Tissue culture lab

Further information

Open hours

Contact and feedback