Course Title: Perform tissue and cell culture techniques

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2012

Course Code: ONPS5664C

Course Title: Perform tissue and cell culture techniques

School: 155T Vocational Health and Sciences

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5283 - Diploma of Laboratory Technology (Pathology Testing)

Course Contact: Dinah van Ruyven

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4287

Course Contact Email: dinah.vanruyven@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Amberlee Mitton

amberlee.mitton@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
• Site Visits


Teaching Schedule

WeekPracTheoryAssessment
 1. The tissue culture laboratory and instruments Tissue culture work area and
equipment		 History of tissue and cell
culture research
assignment - 20%
 2. Aseptic technique in the biohazard cabinet Biohazard cabinets  
 3. Pipetting and transfer of fluids Culture environment - Media and growth
requirements		  
 4. Preparation of tissue culture solutions and sterility testing Filtration, sterilization and disinfection  
 5. Morphology of INT407 cells Cell morphology Practical Report -15%
 6.  Feeding INT407 cells  Cell growth  
 7.  Passaging INT407 cells using a split ratio  Cell types  
 8.    Exam  Exam -25%
 9.  Cell counting using the manual method and automatic coulter  Cell counts and viable cells  
 10.  Passaging a cell line using cell density  Contamination  
 11.  Effect of seeding cell density on cell growth  Cell preservation, storage and recovery  Practical Report -15%
   Student vacation    
 12.  Effect of FBS percentage on cell growth  Tissue and cell culture in industry 1  
 13.  Effect of pH on cell growth  Tissue and cell culture in industry 2  
 14.  Prac exam    Practical exam (Competency)
Logbook (Competency)
 15.  revision    
 16.   End of Semester Exam 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

2 exams- 25% each

2 prac reports-15% each

1 research assignment- 20%


Assessment Matrix

Other Information

To pass the course you need to pass, on average, each type of assessment (tests, reports, assignments). For example, if there are two tests you need to have an average of 50% to pass. But you also need to have passed the other assessments as well. You can’t make up marks from one type of assessment to another (eg pass the tests but fail the prac reports).

Students must attend at least 80% of practical classes. If you miss a prac class you should provide a copy of your medical certificate or other evidence (court appearance, funeral notice, statutory declaration) to the teacher.

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 on the web) at least one day 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 (form available on the Web). 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 at the HUB or online with supporting evidence (eg medical certificate), prior to, or within, 48 hours of the scheduled time of examination.

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

Course Overview: Access Course Overview