Cell cultivation techniques: An introduction from edX

Over the past 20 years, many aspects of cell cultivation techniques have become increasingly important. Today, animal and human cell cultures are used to produce antibodies to treat cancer and autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. In addition, these cells are of interest for vaccine production and gene therapies.

The current focus is on sustainability, therefore plant cell and tissue cultures have recently been used in commercial products, active ingredients in cosmetics, and food additives, and they are also used to make therapeutic enzymes. That, however, is not all. Human stem cell-based therapies and human on-chip models for testing cancer drugs and therapies are becoming more and more attractive.

Our course will provide you with a solid foundation in how to successfully cultivate the most commonly used cells for these applications. It will prepare you for the practice when you are handling these cells in the laboratory and at the same time will help you to better understand the language/concepts used by cell culture technologists. The focus will be on Chinese hamster ovary cells - CHO cells for short, mesenchymal stem cells, and plant suspension cultures.

What you'll learn

Types, design, and operation of bioreactors
Process modes used in biotechnology
Characterization and evaluation of cultivation systems
Fundamentals of cell biology
Metabolism of mammalian, stem, and plant cells
Cultivation media and additives
Routine working techniques in the laboratory
Process scale-up and optimization
Products and clinical application of stem cells

What's inside

Syllabus

This course consists of six units: a general introduction, the actual four teaching blocks, and the final test. The following contents are covered:

Course Organization and introduction

Technical basics

Bioreactor systems

Common methods of oxygen supply

Process modes

Important transport phenomena

Mammalian cell culture technology

The mammalian cell

Mammalian cell metabolism and culture media

Main routine working

Inoculum production

Dominating production bioreactors

Monoclonal antibody production

Stem cell cultivation

Introduction and stem cell basics

Human mesenchymal stem cells

hMSCs – Analytical methods

In vitro expansion of hMSCs

Plant cell culture technology

Introduction to plant cells

Plant cell media

Cell and tissue culture types

Routine working in the lab

Cultivation systems

Exam and evaluation

In the beginning, all organizational frameworks such as the evaluation are explained and participants can get in touch with each other via the forum.

In the 1st block "Technical basics", the technical fundamentals for the use of cell cultures in biotechnology are described. This section forms the foundation for the following blocks and will be taken up again in all subsequent units. Even if you are not a technophile, you should follow this section thoroughly, as many connections will only become apparent in the following units.

In the 2nd block, the cultivation of animal cell cultures is highlighted, with an emphasis on Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. These are the most used cells for the production of monoclonal antibodies and therefore of crucial importance in pharmaceutical biotechnology.

The 3rd block deals with stem cells, with the main focus on human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). This pioneering technology is the spotlight of research and will develop its full potential in the coming decades. Many working techniques from the 2nd Block can also be used here.

Block 4 will focus on plant cell cultures. Work in this field has been ongoing for a long time, but recent developments in cellular agriculture have brought a breath of fresh air. Although the basic reactor technology is similar to that of mammalian and stem cells, the working techniques used are very different from the previous blocks.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Builds a strong foundation for beginners and deep expertise for advanced learners

Develops skills and knowledge in high demand by biopharmaceutical companies

Teaches theory and practice and connects both

Emphasizes CHO cells, which are used in the production of most monoclonal antibodies

Taught by recognized experts in the field

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Cell cultivation techniques: An introduction with these activities:

Review “Animal Cell Culture Technology” by M. Butler

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Start by reviewing background information on animal cell culture technology to refresh and reinforce your knowledge.

View Animal Cell Culture and Technology on Amazon

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Read the introduction and first chapter to get an overview of the field.
Focus on sections about the growth and maintenance of animal cells in culture.
Pay close attention to the different types of culture media and their components.

Participate in Online Discussion Forums on Cell Culture Techniques

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Engage with peers in online discussion forums to exchange knowledge, troubleshoot issues, and learn from others in the field of cell culture.

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Find and join online discussion forums dedicated to cell culture.
Participate in discussions by posting questions, sharing insights, and responding to others.

Follow Video Tutorials on Mammalian Cell Culture Techniques

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Watch guided video tutorials to enhance your understanding of commonly used techniques in mammalian cell culture and reinforce your learning.

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Search for video tutorials on specific techniques, such as cell passaging or cryopreservation.
Follow the instructions provided in the tutorials and practice the techniques in the lab.

Three other activities

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Show all six activities

Volunteer at a Research Laboratory Involved in Cell Culture

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Practical experience in a research laboratory can complement your theoretical knowledge in cell culture and provide valuable skills.

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Identify research laboratories that conduct cell culture work.
Contact the laboratories and inquire about volunteer opportunities.
Assist with cell culture tasks under the guidance of experienced researchers.

Create a Summary of Plant Cell Culture Techniques

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Summarizing key plant cell culture techniques will help you to synthesize and reinforce your knowledge.

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Review the different types of plant cell culture techniques.
Identify the key steps involved in each technique.
Create a concise summary that outlines the techniques and their applications.

Contribute to Open-Source Cell Culture Projects

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Contribute to open-source cell culture projects to engage with a global community and advance the field while enhancing your technical skills.

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Explore open-source platforms and identify projects related to cell culture.
Review project documentation and code to understand the goals and technical requirements.
Identify areas where you can contribute based on your skills and experience.

Career center

Learners who complete Cell cultivation techniques: An introduction will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Cell Culture Engineer

Cell Culture Engineers take living cells from humans, animals, and plants and turn them into usable materials or more cells. The Cell Cultivation Techniques course may be useful to an individual seeking this kind of role because it provides a solid training in how to successfully cultivate the most commonly used cells for biotechnology applications. This course provides a solid foundation for the day-to-day work of a Cell Culture Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cell Culture Engineer

Cell Culture Technician

Cell Culture Technicians perform cell culture experiments, often in research-based settings. The Cell Cultivation Techniques course may be useful to an individual seeking this kind of role because it provides a solid training in how to successfully cultivate the most commonly used cells for biotechnology applications. This course provides a solid foundation for the day-to-day work of a Cell Culture Technician.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cell Culture Technician

Scientist

Scientists conduct research to expand knowledge and develop new products or processes. The Cell Cultivation Techniques course may be useful to an individual seeking this kind of role because it provides a solid training in the cultivation of cells, which is a common technique used by scientists in various fields.

See salaries and explore the career path for Scientist

Research Scientist

Research Scientists conduct research to expand knowledge and develop new products or processes. The Cell Cultivation Techniques course may be useful to an individual seeking this kind of role because it provides a solid training in the cultivation of cells, which is a common technique used by scientists in various fields.

See salaries and explore the career path for Research Scientist

Research Assistant

Research Assistants conduct experiments and collect data under the supervision of a scientist or engineer. The Cell Cultivation Techniques course may be useful to an individual seeking this kind of role because it provides a solid training in the cultivation of cells, which is a common technique used in various research settings.

See salaries and explore the career path for Research Assistant

Process Development Scientist

Process Development Scientists oversee the development and commercialization of new drugs. The Cell Cultivation Techniques course may be useful to an individual seeking this kind of role because it provides a solid training in the cultivation of mammalian cells, which are used to produce monoclonal antibodies, a common component of many drugs.

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Quality Control Analyst

Quality Control Analysts ensure that products meet the required standards of quality. The Cell Cultivation Techniques course may be useful to an individual seeking this kind of role because it provides a solid training in the cultivation of cells, which is relevant to both quality control and product development.

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Bioprocess Engineer

Bioprocess Engineers design, construct, and oversee the processes used to produce biological products. The Cell Cultivation Techniques course may be valuable to an individual seeking this kind of role because it provides a solid training in how to cultivate mammalian, stem, and plant cells, making it relevant to just about any application of bioprocess techniques.

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Validation Engineer

Validation Engineers ensure that products and processes meet the required standards. The Cell Cultivation Techniques course may be useful to an individual seeking this kind of role because it provides a solid training in the cultivation of cells, which is relevant to both validation and product development.

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Regulatory Affairs Specialist

Regulatory Affairs Specialists ensure that products meet regulatory requirements. The Cell Cultivation Techniques course may be useful to an individual seeking this kind of role because it provides a solid training in the cultivation of cells, which is regulated by various government agencies.

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Laboratory Technician

Laboratory Technicians assist scientists, engineers, and other professionals by performing experiments, collecting samples, conducting tests, analyzing results, and maintaining equipment. The Cell Cultivation Techniques course may be useful to an individual seeking this kind of role because it provides a solid training in the cultivation of cells, including working with bioreactors.

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Product Development Scientist

Product Development Scientists lead the development and commercialization of new products. The Cell Cultivation Techniques course may be useful to an individual seeking this kind of role because it provides a solid training in the development of bioreactors and cell growth media and may be useful in designing new products that utilize cell culture techniques.

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Medical Scientist

Medical Scientists conduct research that contributes to the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases. The Cell Cultivation Techniques course may be useful to an individual seeking this kind of role because it provides a solid training in the cultivation of stem cells, which are used increasingly in advanced medical treatments.

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Biomanufacturing Scientist

Biomanufacturing Scientists discover, design, and use the latest technologies to transform renewable resources into advanced products, yielding better environmental and safety outcomes. The Cell Cultivation Techniques course may be quite useful to an individual seeking this kind of role because it provides a solid training in how to successfully cultivate the various types of cells typically needed for biotechnology. This course also delves into metabolism, which plays a substantial role in manufacturing.

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Clinical Scientist

Clinical Scientists perform research to translate clinical findings into new products or methods of care. The Cell Cultivation Techniques course may be useful to an individual seeking this kind of role because it provides a solid training in the cultivation of stem cells, which are used increasingly in advanced medical treatments.

See salaries and explore the career path for Clinical Scientist