Guide to Using Cell Culture Dishes in Biotechnology

In the realm of biotechnology, cell culture dishes are indispensable tools for researchers. These dishes provide a controlled environment for the growth and maintenance of cells outside of their natural environment. Whether you’re new to the field or looking to brush up on your skills, this beginner’s guide will walk you through everything you need to know about using these tools effectively.

What are Cell Culture Dishes?

These tools are flat, plastic, or glass containers specifically designed for growing cells in a laboratory setting. They come in various sizes and are typically sterile to prevent contamination. These dishes provide a surface for cells to attach to and grow on, allowing researchers to study their behavior and characteristics under controlled conditions.

Types of Cell Culture Dishes

There are several types of cell culture dishes available, each designed for specific applications:

1. Standard Culture Dishes:

These are the most commonly used dishes for routine cell culture work. They come in various sizes and are suitable for general cell growth and maintenance.

2. Tissue Culture Dishes:

These dishes have a larger surface area compared to standard dishes, making them ideal for culturing large numbers of cells or growing cells in suspension.

3. Specialized Culture Dishes:

There are also specialized dishes available for specific applications, such as high-throughput screening or three-dimensional cell culture.

Preparing Cell Culture Dishes

Before using these tools, it’s essential to ensure they are sterile to prevent contamination. Here’s a step-by-step guide to preparing cell culture dishes:

1. Wash Hands:

Start by thoroughly washing your hands with soap and water to prevent introducing any contaminants to the dishes.

2. Sterilize Work Area:

Wipe down your work area with a suitable disinfectant to create a clean and sterile environment.

3. Open Packaging:

Carefully open the packaging of the cell culture dishes in a way that minimizes the risk of contamination.

4. Inspect Dishes:

Check the dishes for any signs of damage or contamination. Discard any dishes that appear damaged or compromised.

5. Sterilize Dishes:

If the dishes are not pre-sterilized, sterilize them using an autoclave or other suitable method according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

6. Store Dishes:

Once sterilized, store the dishes in a clean, dry area until they are ready for use.

Seeding Cells in Cell Culture Dishes

Seeding cells with these tools is a critical step in the cell culture process. Here’s how to do it:

1. Prepare Cell Suspension:

Prepare a cell suspension containing the cells you wish to culture. The cell suspension should be in a suitable growth medium optimized for the specific cell type.

2. Add Cells to Dish:

Carefully pipette the desired volume of cell suspension into the cell culture dish, ensuring an even distribution of cells across the surface.

3. Incubate Cells:

Place the cell culture dish in a suitable incubator set to the appropriate temperature and atmospheric conditions for the cells being cultured.

4. Monitor Growth:

Monitor the growth of the cells regularly under a microscope to ensure they are growing and dividing as expected.

Changing Media

Cells grown in these tools require regular feeding with fresh growth medium to provide essential nutrients and remove waste products. Here’s how to change the media in these tools:

1. Aspirate Old Media:

Carefully aspirate the old growth medium from the cell culture dish using a vacuum aspirator or pipette.

2. Add Fresh Media:

Add fresh growth medium to the dish, ensuring the cells are completely covered.

3. Return to Incubator:

Return the cell culture dish to the incubator to allow the cells to continue growing under optimal conditions.

4. Monitor Cells:

Continue to monitor the cells regularly to ensure they remain healthy and actively growing.

Passaging Cells

As cells grow and divide in cell culture dishes, they can become overcrowded, leading to decreased growth and viability. Passaging involves transferring cells from one dish to another to maintain optimal cell density and ensure continued growth. Here’s how to passage cells:

1. Prepare New Dish:

Prepare a new cell culture dish with fresh growth medium as described earlier.

2. Detach Cells:

Detach the cells from the existing dish using a suitable cell detachment reagent or enzyme, following the manufacturer’s instructions.

3. Transfer Cells:

Transfer the detached cells to the new dish containing fresh growth medium, ensuring an even distribution across the surface.

4. Incubate Cells:

Place the new dish containing the transferred cells in the incubator and monitor their growth as usual.

Conclusion

Cell culture dishes are essential tools in biotechnology research, providing a controlled environment for the growth and study of cells. By following the steps outlined in this beginner’s guide, you can effectively use these tools in your research endeavors. Whether you’re seeding cells, changing media, or passaging cells, proper technique and attention to detail are key to success in cell culture work. With practice and experience, you’ll become proficient in using these tools to advance your research and contribute to the field of biotechnology.

FAQs

1. What is a petri dish of cells?

A petri dish of cells is a flat, round container used to grow and study cells in a laboratory. It provides a surface for cells to attach to and grow on, allowing researchers to observe their behavior and characteristics.

2. Can I use a petri dish for cell culture?

Yes, petri dishes can be used for cell culture, but they are more commonly used for bacterial cultures. For mammalian cell culture, specialized cell culture dishes are typically preferred because they provide a more controlled environment for cell growth.

3. What are cell culture treated plates?

Cell culture treated plates are plastic or glass plates that have been specially treated to promote cell attachment and growth. These plates are designed specifically for cell culture applications and provide an optimal surface for cells to grow and proliferate.

4. What is EDTA cell culture?

EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) is a chelating agent commonly used in cell culture to detach adherent cells from the culture vessel. It helps to break the bonds between cells and the culture surface, allowing for easy removal of cells for passaging or analysis.

5. What is cell culture grade?

Cell culture grade refers to materials that have been tested and certified for use in cell culture applications. These materials meet strict quality standards to ensure they are free from contaminants and suitable for use with sensitive cell lines. This includes cell culture media, reagents, and plasticware.