Course Title: Perform tissue and cell culture techniques

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2015

Course Code: ONPS5664C

Course Title: Perform tissue and cell culture techniques

School: 155T Vocational Health and Sciences

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5282 - Diploma of Laboratory Technology (Biotechnology)

Course Contact: Amberlee Mitton

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 8053

Course Contact Email: amber.mitton@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Muriel Aldunate

muriel.aldunate@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

The following 3 competencies are all pre-requisites:

MSL974006A Perform biological procedures

MSL973007A Perform microscopic examination

MSL973004A Perform aseptic techniques

Course Description

This unit of competency covers the ability 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 setup, media and growth techniques. They are required to detect and investigate contamination and take preventative and/or corrective actions under supervision.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

MSL975013A Perform tissue and cell culture techniques

Element:

1. Interpret and schedule production requirements

Performance Criteria:

1.1. Review client request and confirm quantity and nature of cells, tissue or products
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 and tissues
 

Element:

2. Work safely according to the legal and regulatory framework

Performance Criteria:

2.1. Ensure work practices and personal actions conform to regulations, codes, guidelines and enterprise quality assurance procedures
2.2. Identify hazards and enterprise control measures associated with the sample, preparation methods, reagents and equipment
2.3. Select, fit and use personal protective clothing and safety equipment
2.4. Address hazards and incidents as they arise
2.5. Ensure the safe disposal of biohazardous materials and other laboratory wastes
 

Element:

3. Assemble and maintain tissue culture equipment

Performance Criteria:

3.1. Assemble, sterilise or decontaminate equipment according to enterprise procedures
3.2. Perform pre-use and safety checks in accordance with relevant enterprise 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 and 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 and cell lines

Performance Criteria:

5.1. Retrieve/obtain 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/tissue in specified conditions
5.4. Inoculate the media with the specified amount of sample
5.5. Monitor growth of tissue and cell lines and products
5.6. Detect contamination and troubleshoot materials, equipment and techniques
5.7. Passage samples by subculturing to preserve or grow the line
5.8. Harvest cells or cell products to optimise yields
 

Element:

6. Preserve cells and 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 cell lines regularly to ensure viability is maintained
 

Element:

7. Maintain records

Performance Criteria:

7.1. Maintain records of batches of media and test data
7.2. Maintain records of active and stored tissue and cell lines
7.3. Ensure records 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
 


Teaching Schedule

WeekPractical/ActivityTheoryAssessment
 1. HeLa background and info session for Assessment 1 Topic 1: Intro to animal tissue culture (work area & equipment)
&
Cell Biology: Cell structure and organelles
 
 Assessment 1: History of tissue culture research assignment
DUE Date: Week 4
15%
 2. PRAC 1: The tissue culture laboratory and instruments

PRAC 2: Aseptic technique in the biohazard cabinet
 

Topic 2: Cell Biology: Life cycle, division and death Log book
 3.

PRAC 3: Pipetting and transfer of fluids

PRAC 4: Preparation of tissue culture solutions and sterility testing
 

Topic 3: Culture environment - Media and growth requirements Logbook
 4.

PRAC 5: Morphology of INT407 cells

PRAC 6: Feeding INT407 cells

Topic 4: The biology of cultured cells Logbook
 5. PRAC 7: Passaging INT407 cells using a split ratio Topic 5: Cell types Logbook
 6. PRAC 8: Cell counting using the manual method and automatic coulter GROUP A Topic 6: Cell growth Assessment 2:
Practical report including peer review and edit.
Peer review and edit (S/NYS)
Report 20%
DUE Date: Week 10 & 11
 7.  PRAC 8: Cell counting using the manual method and automatic coulter GROUP B Revision  Assessment 2:
Practical report including peer review and edit.
Peer review and edit (S/NYS)
Report 20%
DUE Date: Week 10 & 11
 8.  Exam week Exam week Assessment 3: Mid semester exam (25%)
   Student vacation    
 9. PRAC 9: Passaging a cell line using cell density
 
Topic 7: Cell counts and viable cells Log book
 10. Assessment 3 – In class peer review and edit – this class is compulsory

Classroom - TBA
 

Topic 8: Contamination  
 11.  PRAC 10 - Cell preservation, storage and recovery Topic 9: Cell preservation, storage and recovery  Logbook
 12.

 PRAC 11 - Repeat of PRAC 7: Passaging INT407 cells using a split ratio GROUP A

Topic 10:  Filtration, sterilization and disinfection Logbook
 13.  
 PRAC 11 - Repeat of PRAC 7: Passaging INT407 cells using a split ratio GROUP B
Topic 11: Tissue and cell culture in industry 1: Stem cells Logbook
 14. Log book grading and feedback Topic 12: Tissue and cell culture in industry 2: Monoclonal antibodies Practical exam (S/NYS)
 15. Practical exam  Revision Assessment 4: Logbook (15%)
 16.  -  End of Semester Exam Assessment 5: End of Semester Exam 25%


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources


Overview of Assessment

Assessments for this course typically consist of:
• Class activities
• Assignments
• Presentations
• Exams


Assessment Tasks

  • Assessment 1: History of tissue culture research assignment 15% DUE Date: Week 4
  • Assessment 2: Practical report including peer review and edit. Peer review and edit (C/NYC) Report 20% DUE Date: Week 10 & 11
  • Assessment 3: Mid semester exam 25%
  • Assessment 4: Log book (15%) Due week 14
  • Assessment 5: End of Semester Exam 25%
  • Practical Exam (S/NYS)


Assessment Matrix

Other Information

Assessment Information
• This course is graded in accordance with competency-based assessment, but which also utilise graded assessment
CHD Competent with High Distinction (80 – 100%)
CDI Competent with Distinction (70 – 79%)
CC Competent with Credit (60 – 69%)
CAG Competency Achieved – Graded (50 – 59%)
NYC Not Yet Competent
DNS Did Not Submit for assessment

• To pass the course you need to pass, on average, each type of assessment (exams, pracs, and assignments etc.) For example, if there are two exams you need to have an average of 50% to pass and you also need to have passed the other assessment types. You can’t make up marks from one type of assessment to another (e.g. pass the exams but fail the prac component).
• Late work that is submitted without an application for an extension (see below) will not be corrected.
• APPLICATION FOR EXTENSION OF TIME FOR SUBMISSION OF ASSESSABLE WORK - A student may apply for an extension of up to 7 days from the original due date. They must lodge the application form (available online http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/assessment/extension) at least 24 hours before the due date. The application is lodged with the School Admin Office on Level 6, Bdg 51. Students requiring longer extensions must apply for SPECIAL CONSIDERATION.
For missed assessments such as exams- you (& your doctor if you are sick) must fill out a special consideration form. This form must be lodged online with supporting evidence prior to, or within, 48 hours of the scheduled time of examination http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/specialconsideration
 

Course Overview: Access Course Overview