Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2024

Course Code: ONPS7809C

Course Title: Perform tissue or cell culture techniques

School: 535T Social Care and Health

Campus: City Campus

Program: C4433 - Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques

Course Contact: Rauha Quazi

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4277

Course Contact Email: rauha.quazi@rmit.edu.au

Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Anu 

anu.sharma@rmit.edu.au 

Tasneem 

tasneem.cutchhi@rmit.edu.au

Ivan 

ivan.how@rmit.edu.au 

Nominal Hours: 100

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

MSL973027 Perform techniques that prevent cross-contamination.

Course Description

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge to prepare, maintain and preserve cells and cell lines for a variety of applications, such as large-scale culture, production of monoclonal antibodies, production of viral vaccines and amniocentesis studies. Personnel are required to optimise equipment set-up, media and growth techniques. They are required to detect and investigate contamination and take preventative and/or corrective actions under supervision.

This unit applies to laboratory technicians and technical officers working in laboratories in the biomedical, environmental, biotechnology and education industry sectors.

National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:	MSL975060 Perform tissue or cell culture techniques
Element:	1. Interpret and schedule production requirements
Performance Criteria:	1.1 Review client request and confirm quantity and nature of cells or tissue 1.2 Select appropriate media, materials, equipment and methods 1.3 Plan parallel work sequences to optimise production 1.4 Maintain a chain of custody, traceable to the worker, for all cells or tissues
Element:	2. Work safely according to the legal and regulatory framework
Performance Criteria:	2.1 Identify hazards and workplace control measures associated with the sample, preparation methods, reagents and equipment 2.2 Select, fit and use personal protective equipment (PPE) 2.3 Address hazards and incidents as they arise in accordance with workplace procedures 2.4 Safely dispose of biohazardous materials and other laboratory waste
Element:	3. Assemble and maintain tissue culture equipment
Performance Criteria:	3.1 Assemble, sterilise or decontaminate equipment according to workplace procedures 3.2 Perform pre-use and safety checks in accordance with relevant workplace and operating procedures 3.3 Identify faulty or unsafe components and equipment and report to appropriate personnel 3.4 Decontaminate area and equipment after use
Element:	4. Prepare and test cell or tissue culture media
Performance Criteria:	4.1 Confirm media specifications and processes/methods 4.2 Prepare culture media to suit client request 4.3 Sterilise culture media and check for sterility 4.4 Perform quality control checks to ensure that culture media is fit for purpose 4.5 Store culture media in accordance with specifications
Element:	5. Obtain, monitor and maintain tissue or cell lines
Performance Criteria:	5.1 Access the cell lines or tissue sample from fresh or preserved sources and prepare a culture 5.2 Select specified culture media and add any necessary growth agents or nutrients 5.3 Incubate cells or tissue in specified conditions 5.4 Inoculate the media with the specified amount of sample 5.5 Monitor growth of tissue or cell lines and products 5.6 Detect contamination/abnormalities and troubleshoot materials, equipment and techniques 5.7 Passage samples by subculturing to preserve or grow the line 5.8 Harvest tissue, cells or cell products to optimise yields
Element:	6. Preserve cells or tissues
Performance Criteria:	6.1 Select the appropriate preservation method 6.2 Preserve the cell lines or tissue in accordance with the method 6.3 Check preserved tissue or cell lines regularly to ensure viability is maintained
Element:	7. Maintain records
Performance Criteria:	7.1 Maintain accurate records of batches of media 7.2 Maintain accurate records of active and stored tissue or cell lines 7.3 Complete records so that they are retrievable, legible and accurate 7.4 Ensure records conform to the information management, records, quality system and legal requirements

Learning Outcomes

Details of Learning Activities

• Teacher directed delivery of lessons
• Class discussion
• Worksheets 
• Laboratory experiments 
• Record keeping of experiments 
• Research activities
• Group work

Teaching Schedule

Week	Week starting	Theory (2 hours)	Lab  (3 hours Tuesday)	Assessment
1	15th July	1- Mammalian Tissue Culture & Course overview, assessments and prac discussion	Lab 1 -The Tissue Culture lab & Lab 2 - Aseptic technique in the biohazard cabinet   Skills development – essential for AT1 and AT4
2	22nd July	2 - Cell Biology     Prac tute – L-929 cells and morphology tables and image annotation   How to use your E-logbook	Lab 3 - Morphology of L-929 cell line. Learning how to take an image of the cells   Skills development – essential for AT1 and AT4
3	29th July	3 –  The biology of cultured cells     Class discussion – HeLa and Henrietta Lacks	Lab 4 - Preparation of tissue culture solutions and sterility testing   Collect results in week 4   ,	AT1 – Lab 4 Due week 5
4	5th August	4 -  Culture environment   Class discussion – Ethics   AT2 Discussion & questions   Prac tute – Accessing images   Prac tute – filling in and maintaining logs	Lab 5 - Feeding a cell line   Skills development
5	12th August	5 -  Tissue and cell culture types and characteristics     Class discussion – Lab grown meat   AT3 Discussion & questions   Prac tute – Split ratios   Prac tute – Maintaining cells in culture	Lab 6a - Passaging cell line L-929   students (1.5 hours per student) using a split ratio    Individual prac   OR   12 students (1 hour per student)	AT1 - Lab 6 Due week 6
6	19th August	6 - Cell growth & Logbook review and check	Lab 6b - Passaging cell line L-929 using a split ratio   (Individual prac) 8 students (1.5 hours per student)	AT1 - Lab 6 Due week 7
7	26th August	Costing exercise – please bring laptops   AT2 Discussion & questions	Lab 7   Passaging cell line PC-3 using a split ratio   & Collecting results for Lab 6 (6a students cells will have results after two weeks so expect cells to be over confluent and not 100% heal	AT1 – Lab 7 Due week 8
	2nd Sept		Student break
8	9th Sept	7 – Cell counts & AT2 Discussion & questions   Prac tute –feedback	Lab 8 Passaging cell line MDBK using a split ratio	AT1 – Lab 8 Due week 9
9	16th Sept	8 – Contamination & AT2 Discussion & questions	Lab 9a Cell preservation & storage
10	23rd Sept	9 -  Cell preservation, storage and recovery   Logbook review and check	Lab9b Cell preservation, storage and recovery viability assessment - Thawing and culture   *Cryopreservation demonstration & hazard discussion
11	30th Sept	10 – Substrates	Lab 9c Cell preservation, storage and recovery viability assessment - Automatic cell count on preserved cells	AT1 – Lab 9
12	7th Oct	11 – Monitoring growth and sustainability	Skillsassessment - Passaging L-929 cell line using a split ratio – Group 1 *Collect results in week 13	AT4: Practical assessment
13	14th Oct	AT3 – Quiz	Skillsassessment - Passaging L-929 cell line using a split ratio Group 2 *Collect results in week 14	AT4: Practical assessment Upload signed and assessed AT4 Appendix
14	21st Oct	AT2 feedback and resubmissions	Skills assessment results collection Group 2	AT4: Practical assessment Upload signed and assessed AT4 Appendix
15	28th Oct	Review of AT2 and AT3	Alternate assessments (special consideration)	Upload signed and assessed Media log Equipment log Tissue Culture log Observational checklist *Records that haven’t been signed will not be accepted
16	4TH Nov	E- logbook feedback & assessment	E-logbook feedback and assessment
17	11th Nov	Finalising assessments

 

*Subject to change

Missed labs require evidence or special consideration

Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

References

Other Resources

Overview of Assessment

Assessment may include:

• knowledge tests
• practical skills test
• practical logbooks
• presentations
• group work
• research
• lab reports
• assignments

 

Assessment Tasks

This course features 4 assessments:

• AT1 Lab skills and E-logbook Lab 4
• AT2 Short answer questions
• AT3 Online quiz
• AT4 Practical assessment

 

For each assessment you will be given up to two (2) attempts, however, to be granted the second attempt at any assessment, your first attempt must be an appropriate attempt to try and gain a satisfactory outcome. For example, you must appropriately attempt each question or aspect of the assessment task.   If your first attempt fails to meet the above standard, you may not be eligible for a second attempt at that task.   A third (3rd) attempt can only be offered after discussions between teacher and the Program Coordinator and is not automatic

Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant unit of competency. These mapping documents are available through Program Administration if required.

Other Information

Assessment information:

This course is graded in accordance with competency-based assessment

CA Competency Achieved  
NYC Not Yet Competent
DNS Did Not Submit for assessment

Submission of Assessment Tasks

It is expected that any work presented for assessment in this course will be your own. Plagiarism is the presentation of the work, idea or creation of another person as though it is your own. It is a form of cheating and is a very serious academic offence that may lead to expulsion from the University. Plagiarised material can be drawn from, and presented in, written, graphic and visual form, including electronic data and oral presentation. Plagiarism occurs when the origin of the material used is not appropriately cited. It also occurs through enabling plagiarism, which is the act of assisting or allowing another person to plagiarise or to copy your own work. Please make sure you consider this carefully in completing all your work and assessments in this course and if you are unsure about whether you might have plagiarised, seek help from your teacher.

Extensions of time for submission of assessable work

If you are prevented from submitting an assessment on time by circumstances outside your control you may apply for an extension of up to seven (7) calendar days by filling in the application form at least one working day BEFORE the due date. The application form should be emailed to your Program Coordinator

Eligibility criteria for application and the form is available from the link: https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment/extensions-of-time-for-submission-of-assessable-work

If you require an extension of time longer than 7 days, you must apply for Special Consideration.

Late work that is submitted without an application for an extension will not be corrected.

Special consideration

If you are unable to sit a test, exam or lab-based assessments due to unexpected circumstances (e.g., illness), you should apply for Special Consideration for the missed assessment. Information on applying for Special Consideration can be found from the link: https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment/special-consideration. Applications for Special Consideration should NOT be submitted to the course or program coordinator.

Attendance: 

Your learning experience will involve class-based teaching, discussion, demonstration and practical exercises It is strongly advised that you attend all timetabled sessions. This will allow you to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring you the maximum opportunity to complete this course successfully. If you are sick you should submit a medical certificate to the program coordinator and course coordinator/teacher. If you miss an assessable practical class you need to provide a medical certificate (or other evidence), if you miss a practical class that is a practical report write-up you need to arrange an alternative report with your teacher. Information about your studies: You can access My Studies through the RMIT website for information about timetables, important dates, assessment dates, results and progress, Canvas etc. https://www.rmit.edu.au/students 

  

Course Overview: Access Course Overview