Biological Research Techniques and Safety

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Questions and Answers

What does a '.gov' website signify?

.gov websites belong to official government organizations in the United States.

Why should users only share sensitive information on secure websites?

Secure websites use HTTPS, indicated by a locked padlock icon, ensuring a safe connection.

What is the significance of Elsevier's COVID-19 resource centre?

It provides free access to COVID-19-related research in English and Mandarin for unrestricted reuse.

What are the advantages of using cell lines in scientific research?

<p>Cell lines offer homogeneity and reproducibility in the data generated.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What key aspects are addressed when setting up a cell culture lab?

<p>Safety guidelines for lab personnel and the cultured cells, as well as contamination prevention.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How can microbiological contaminants in cell culture be managed?

<p>Contaminants can be avoided through proper lab practices and detected early using specific techniques.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What factors influence the selection of a cell line and culture conditions?

<p>The choice depends on the readout and requirements of the desired assay.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does 'cell culture' refer to?

<p>Cell culture refers to laboratory methods that enable the growth of eukaryotic or prokaryotic cells in physiological conditions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are some early applications of cell culture techniques?

<p>Cell culture techniques were initially used to study tissue growth, virus biology, vaccine development, and the role of genes in health and disease.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does cell culture contribute to the reproducibility of experimental data?

<p>Cell culture allows for homogeneity in clonal populations and the control of environmental variables, leading to high reproducibility and consistency.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What precautions should be taken to ensure lab safety when handling cultured cells?

<p>Precautions include wearing personal protective equipment, decontaminating lab tools, and following disposal protocols for hazardous materials.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does personal protective equipment (PPE) play in a cell culture lab?

<p>PPE serves as a barrier to protect laboratory workers from hazardous agents and prevent contamination of cell cultures.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Define asepsis in the context of cell culture.

<p>Asepsis refers to creating a microenvironment free of unwanted pathogenic microorganisms to maintain successful cell culture.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of biosafety cabinets in cell culture labs?

<p>Biosafety cabinets provide a controlled environment with HEPA-filtered air to minimize exposure to hazardous materials and protect cultured cells from contamination.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What potential hazards are associated with cultured cells?

<p>Cultured cells can harbor infectious agents like HBV or HIV, alongside toxic and corrosive reagents.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How can laboratory personnel minimize risks associated with biohazards?

<p>Personnel can minimize risks by undergoing stringent training, implementing standard safety practices, and following proper protocols for handling hazardous agents.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Explain the importance of screening donors when working with primary cells.

<p>Screening donors is essential to identify and exclude any disease-causing pathogens that could contaminate the primary cells.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What actions should be taken following exposure or spillage of infectious agents in the lab?

<p>The laboratory's safety officer should be notified immediately to advise on an appropriate containment and decontamination strategy.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) assist laboratory personnel?

<p>The MSDS provides detailed information regarding chemical safety, including potential health hazards, toxicity, and safe handling practices.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are some common practices in a cell culture lab to maintain a sterile environment?

<p>Common practices include dedicating a separate area for cell culture work and using equipment that promotes a sterile workspace.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to remove potentially contaminated gloves immediately?

<p>Removing contaminated gloves immediately prevents the spread of hazardous agents and minimizes exposure risks.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What restrictions exist regarding food and drink in a cell culture lab?

<p>Food and drink consumption, as well as storage, is strictly prohibited in cell culture labs to prevent contamination.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the primary sources of contamination in a cell culture laboratory?

<p>Laboratory staff, the environment, and culture medium are the primary sources of contamination.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How can microbial contaminants impact cultured cells?

<p>Microbial contaminants can alter the phenotype and genotype of cultured cells by competing for nutrients and producing toxic by-products.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does the biosafety cabinet play in cell culture?

<p>The biosafety cabinet restricts nonsterile aerosols and airborne particles, protecting cultured cells from contamination.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended process for decontaminating the biosafety cabinet after use?

<p>The work surface should be decontaminated with an antifungal detergent followed by 70% ethanol.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is regular maintenance important for biosafety cabinets?

<p>Regular maintenance ensures correct airflow and full filter capacity, which are crucial for preventing contamination.</p> Signup and view all the answers

How should lab coats be managed to reduce contamination risks?

<p>Lab coats should only be worn within the cell culture lab and washed regularly at hot temperatures.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of adding antibiotics to cell culture media?

<p>Antibiotics limit the risk of bacterial growth in media bottles and cell culture vessels after opening.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe how filter-sterilization of liquids is performed.

<p>Filter-sterilization is done by forcing liquid through a 0.22 μM filter using a vacuum pump.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What should be done with items before entering the biosafety cabinet?

<p>Items should be sprayed and wiped with 70% ethanol before entering the biosafety cabinet.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Explain the impact of pH changes in cell culture due to bacterial contamination.

<p>Bacterial contamination can increase the metabolic rates, modifying the pH of the culture media and changing phenol red's color to yellow.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why should the number of items in the biosafety cabinet be minimized?

<p>Minimizing items prevents obstruction of airflow, which is essential for maintaining a sterile environment.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of training staff to recognize contamination signs?

<p>Training staff helps in identifying early signs of contamination to prevent its spread to other cultures.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What should laboratory staff do to ensure a clean work surface?

<p>Laboratory staff should wash their hands with soap and wear disposable gloves sprayed with 70% ethanol.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Explain the importance of keeping the cell culture area free from dust.

<p>Keeping the area free from dust helps minimize the risk of microbial contamination.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

What is a .gov website?

A website with the domain '.gov' that belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

What is a secure .gov website?

A secure website with HTTPS, indicated by a lock icon or 'https://' in the address bar. Sensitive information should only be shared on secure .gov sites.

Does NLM endorse content in its databases?

The National Library of Medicine (NLM) provides access to scientific literature, but its inclusion in databases like PubMed does not represent an endorsement or agreement with the content.

What is cell culture?

A tool used in research to grow and study eukaryotic or prokaryotic cells in controlled conditions.

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Why are cell lines useful in research?

Cell lines are a benefit in scientific research because they are homogenous and produce reproducible data.

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What are key considerations in cell culture labs?

Safety for both lab personnel and cultured cells is paramount. This includes preventing contamination from microorganisms.

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How are cell lines and culture conditions chosen?

The selection of a cell line and specific culture conditions depends on the research question.

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What are some important techniques in cell culture?

Techniques like cell propagation are essential for manipulating cells in various experiments. These techniques can be adapted for many cell types.

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Cell Culture

The practice of growing and maintaining cells in a controlled laboratory environment. Commonly used to study cell biology, disease mechanisms, and drug toxicity.

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Clonal Cell Population

A group of cells derived from a single ancestor and therefore genetically identical, often used in cell culture to ensure consistency.

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Asepsis

A system that ensures the absence of harmful microorganisms, essential for successful cell culture to prevent contamination.

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Biosafety

The use of protective measures to reduce or eliminate exposure to hazardous agents in a laboratory setting.

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PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)

Personal protective equipment, such as lab coats, gloves, and goggles, that act as a barrier between the researcher and potential hazards.

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Biosafety Cabinet

A type of safety cabinet that provides a sterile workspace, minimizing contamination of both the researcher and the cell cultures.

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MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet)

A document that provides detailed information about a chemical or substance, including its hazards, storage, disposal, and safety precautions.

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Standard Cell Culture Practices

A standardized set of practices designed to minimize the risk of infection and contamination in cell culture laboratories.

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Parenteral Inoculation

The introduction of a potentially hazardous agent into the body through contact with contaminated needles, syringes, or other sharps.

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Ingestion

The entry of hazardous substances into the body through swallowing something contaminated, such as food or drink.

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Inhalation

The inhalation of airborne particles or aerosols containing potentially hazardous substances.

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Contact with Skin and Mucous Membranes

Direct contact of potentially hazardous substances with skin or mucous membranes, like those in the eyes, nose, or mouth.

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Waste Decontamination and Disposal

The disposal of infectious or hazardous materials following established guidelines to prevent contamination.

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Gene Therapy

The intentional introduction of genetically altered or modified cells into a living organism, with the goal of treating or preventing disease.

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Primary Cell Culture

A type of cell culture that involves the cultivation of cells derived directly from living tissues, often used for research and diagnostics.

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Autoclaving

A cleaning process that uses high heat and pressure to kill microorganisms.

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Filter Sterilization

A method of sterilization that involves passing a liquid through a filter with pores small enough to trap microbes.

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Antibiotics

Chemicals used in cell culture media to inhibit the growth of bacteria.

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E. coli

A common bacterial species that can contaminate cell cultures, often appearing as small particles under a microscope.

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Mold

A fungal contaminant that can appear as multicellular, highly connected, thin filaments under a microscope.

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Yeast contamination

A fungal contaminant that forms multicellular stringlike structures with ovoid shapes under a microscope.

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Cross-contamination by cell lines

A type of cell culture contamination that occurs when other cell types are introduced into the culture, leading to a heterogeneous mix.

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Chemical contamination

The introduction of undesirable chemical impurities into cell culture, such as plasticizers from cell culture vessels.

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Microscopic inspection

The process of visually inspecting cell cultures under a microscope to detect signs of contamination.

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Cloudy cell culture

Turbidity in cell culture media, indicating the presence of microbial contaminants that are multiplying.

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Yellowing of media

A color change in phenol red, an indicator in cell culture media, towards yellow, indicating a change in pH due to microbial contamination.

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Cell line

A group of cells grown in a lab that are descended from a single ancestral cell, often genetically identical.

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Contamination

The process of introducing infectious agents, like bacteria, into a sterile environment.

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Study Notes

Government Websites and Security

  • Official US government websites end in .gov
  • Secure .gov sites use HTTPS (https://) with a padlock icon.
  • Share sensitive info only on secure websites.

National Library of Medicine (NLM) and Elsevier

  • NLM provides access to scientific literature.
  • Inclusion in NLM databases does not mean NLM or NIH endorse content.
  • Elsevier created a COVID-19 resource center with free English and Mandarin resources.
  • Elsevier grants unrestricted research reuse and analysis rights on COVID-19-related research in PubMed Central and WHO COVID database.

Cell Culture Principles

  • Cell culture is a versatile technique for biological research (prokaryotic and eukaryotic)
  • Cell lines are homogenous leading to reproducible data.
  • Cell culture labs need safety guidelines for personnel and cells.
  • Microbiological contamination is a potential issue.
  • Cell line selection depends on the desired assay.
  • Cell culture has roots in studying tissue growth, virus biology, vaccines, genes, & biopharmaceuticals.

Clinical Applications of Cell Culture

  • Cell culture creates model systems to study basic cell biology.
  • It's used to replicate disease mechanisms and test drug toxicity.
  • Gene and molecular pathway manipulation is possible.
  • Clonal cells/defined cultures reduce interfering variables, improving data consistency.
  • Risk management is crucial dealing with infectious agents (e.g., HBV, HIV) and hazardous reagents.

Cell Culture Lab Safety

  • Lab staff responsible for their safety and others’.
  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required (lab coats, gloves, goggles).
  • Remove PPE when leaving/contaminating.
  • Biosafety cabinets prevent exposure to hazardous materials and environment contamination.
  • Disposal of hazardous materials via proper channels.
  • Avoid food, drink, cosmetics, etc. in the lab.
  • Decontaminate equipment before and after use.
  • Immediate decontamination of potentially contaminated gloves, equipment, or spills.
  • Inform lab safety officer immediately upon exposure.
  • Immunization and staff training are vital.
  • Screening of human tissue donors for pathogens.

Cell Culture Contamination Control

  • Maintaining aseptic conditions is critical: free from pathogens (bacteria, fungi, viruses, parasites).
  • Microbiological contamination (bacteria, fungi, viruses, parasites) is a major problem in cell cultures.
  • Contaminated equipment, media, incubators, and cell culture vessels can introduce microorganisms.
  • Use HEPA-filtered biosafety cabinets to limit contamination.
  • Thorough decontamination of equipment entering the biosafety cabinet.
  • Regular equipment maintenance is vital
  • Maintaining clean lab surfaces (incubator, centrifuge, microscope, water bath, fridge, freezer).
  • Use of sterile media and filter-sterilization techniques.
  • Use of preservatives (antibiotics) to limit bacterial growth may cause resistance strains.
  • Train staff to recognize early signs of contamination.
  • Contamination can alter cell phenotype and genotype.

Additional Notes

  • Cell culture contaminants can have various morphologies.
  • Bacteria (rod-shaped, cocci, flagellated) will appear turbid or change phenol red color.
  • Yeast, mold have string-like or ovoid shapes.

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