Using Cell Culture and Molecular Biology in Biomedical Research: Alternative methods, applications and UCAM facilities
Description Animal cell culture is a core laboratory technique in many molecular biology, biomedicine, and biotechnology laboratories and widely, it is an essential prerequisite to further in vivo experiments. It is a method for studying cellular behavior without the confounding effects of the surrounding tissues and the variations that might arise in animals under experimental stress. It is also a technique that has not been traditionally taught in a classroom setting, that is why, the present seminary includes an explicative video filmed in the University facilities. Therefore, animal cell culture is an essential part of any serious organized effort at biomedical training. Objectives The aims of the seminary are to teach students in vitro alternative methods to animal experimentation, basic aseptic technique, routine maintenance of established cell lines, and primary culture (where cells are isolated from an animal and maintained in vitro). The laboratory video shows the proper procedures to maintain the cell lines in aseptic conditions (trypsinization, media change, counting).