Cell culture laboratory

The main characteristic of the cell culture laboratory, apart from those of a microbiological laboratory, is the maintenance of a high level of asepsis. The growth rate of cells in culture is much lower than that of the usual contaminants (bacteria, viruses, fungi, yeasts and mycoplasmas), so entry of the latter into the laboratory must be kept to a minimum.

The ideal situation is to have a room that is isolated from the other activities, far from passage ways and dedicated exclusively to cell cultivation. The arrival of laminar flow cabinets reduced the need to isolate the working area but even so it is advisable to maintain a sterility gradient, from the outer environment to the inside of the flow cabinets, where the cultures are manipulated, and of the incubators. It is also necessary to facilitate access to the supply of CO₂ and ice, to the cold chamber, the autoclave, the Dewar vessels for liquid nitrogen, the centrifuge room, etc.

There are two types of cell culture laboratory, depending on the pathogenicity of the cultures.

General tissue culture laboratory without pathogens. Basically, this is an isolated room with a supply of temperature-controlled, filtered air (HEPA). As this air enters it increases atmospheric pressure inside the laboratory (usually 15-20 Pa), which prevents outside contaminants from entering (clean room).
Culture laboratory with pathogens. To avoid accidental release of pathogens outgoing air is HEPA-filtered and an interior pressure deficit is generated (minimum –15 Pa). If the incoming air is also deemed to need filtering, the air flows must be adjusted so that the net balance allows negative pressure to be maintained on the interior. Consideration must also be given to any other equipment that might affect this balance (e.g. cabinets connected to the exterior).

Cell culture laboratory

Cell culture laboratories

Further information

Additional information