Hands-on Workshop on Mammalian Cell Culture & Aseptic Techniques
Master Real Lab Skills: 70% Hands-on Training in Mammalian Cell Culture
About This Course
Mammalian cell culture is a core technique in modern biological sciences, playing an essential role in drug discovery, cancer research, toxicology, vaccine development, and regenerative medicine. Proper aseptic handling, contamination control, and understanding cell behavior are crucial for generating reproducible and biologically meaningful results.
This workshop provides a step-by-step learning experience—from lab safety and media preparation to live-cell handling and viability assessment. Participants will work directly in a sterile environment using biosafety cabinets, incubators, and cell culture equipment. With 70% of the training focused on practical work, learners will gain the confidence needed to perform routine culture tasks and support cell-based research workflows.
Aim
This workshop aims to provide participants with in-depth, practical exposure to mammalian cell culture, aseptic handling, and fundamental techniques required in biotechnology, biomedical research, pharmaceuticals, and cell-based assay development. The program emphasizes 70% hands-on training, ensuring participants gain real experience in culturing, maintaining, passaging, and assessing mammalian cells under sterile conditions. The workshop prepares learners for internships, research projects, and industry-level laboratory roles.
Workshop Objectives
- Perform aseptic handling and contamination-free operations in a cell culture lab.
- Prepare media, supplements, and reagents required for mammalian cell culture.
- Thaw, seed, maintain, and passage mammalian cells.
- Assess cell health using viability assays and microscopy.
- Follow GLP/GMP-ready documentation, safety rules, and best practices.
Workshop Structure
Day 1 – Introduction to Mammalian Cell Culture & Aseptic Principles (1.5 hours)
- Cell Culture Basics, Adherent vs suspension cells; common cell lines (e.g., HeLa, HEK293, CHO – concept only).
- Typical applications in research, drug screening, toxicity, and biotechnology.
- Biosafety levels (BSL-1 vs BSL-2) – basic concepts, Layout of a cell culture lab: CO₂ incubator, biosafety cabinet (BSC), inverted microscope, centrifuge, water bath, Contamination & Documentation
Hands On:
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Undergraduate/postgraduate students from Biotechnology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Life Sciences, or related fields.
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Research scholars and professionals working in biotech/biopharma labs, diagnostics, CROs, academia, or early-stage R&D.
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Individuals seeking hands-on wet-lab experience in cell culture and aseptic techniques.
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Beginners with no prior lab experience are welcome.
- Correct gowning and PPE before entering cell culture area.
- Start-up and shut-down procedures for biosafety cabinet.
- Simulated aseptic handling with colored media
Day 2 – Routine Cell Culture Operations: Thawing, Seeding & Subculturing (1.5 hours)
- Culture Media & Environmental Requirements, Thawing & Initiating Cultures
- Step-by-step thawing procedure and transfer to culture flask.
- Assessing confluency (visual estimation under microscope).
- Trypsinization or other detachment methods: rinsing, enzyme contact time, neutralization.
- Resuspension of cells and gentle handling to maintain viability.
- Hemocytometer basics: loading chamber, counting rules.
- Trypan blue exclusion method for viability estimation.
- Simple calculations: cells/mL, total cells, required volume for seeding a given flask/plate.
Hands On:
- Thawing a mammalian cell line and initial seeding into a flask (demo or guided).
- Trypsinization and subculture of an adherent culture
- Cell counting & viability exercise using hemocytometer
Day 3 – Contamination Control, Cryopreservation & Quality Assurance (1.5 hours)
- Bacterial vs fungal vs mycoplasma contamination – typical signs and consequences.
- Response strategies: isolate, discard, decontaminate; cleaning protocols for incubator and BSC.
- Principles of freezing cells: cryoprotectants (DMSO), cooling rate, storage conditions, Freezing medium preparation, cell concentration for freezing.
- Step-by-step freezing protocol (e.g., isopropanol freezing container vs controlled-rate freezer).
- Storage in liquid nitrogen and recovery considerations.
- Importance of cell line authentication (STR profiling – concept only).
Hands On:
- Observation of representative images/videos of contaminated vs healthy cultures and discussion of probable causes.
- Preparation of cryovials for freezing (mock or actual, depending on setup).
Who Should Enrol?
- Undergraduate/postgraduate students from Biotechnology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Life Sciences, or related fields.
- Research scholars and professionals working in biotech/biopharma labs, diagnostics, CROs, academia, or early-stage R&D.
- Individuals seeking hands-on wet-lab experience in cell culture and aseptic techniques.
- Beginners with no prior lab experience are welcome.
Important Dates
Registration Ends
01/04/2026
IST 7:00 PM
Workshop Dates
01/04/2026 – 01/06/2026
IST 8:00 PM
Workshop Outcomes
- Confidence in performing independent cell culture work under sterile conditions.
- Practical experience with media preparation, thawing, passaging, and maintaining cell lines.
- Skills in identifying contamination and assessing cell viability.
- Understanding of proper documentation, safety guidelines, and quality practices.
- Experience with equipment such as biosafety cabinets, CO₂ incubators, microscopes, centrifuges, etc.
Fee Structure
Student Fee
₹1799 | $70
Ph.D. Scholar / Researcher Fee
₹2799 | $80
Academician / Faculty Fee
₹3799 | $95
Industry Professional Fee
₹4799 | $110
What You’ll Gain
- Live & recorded sessions
- e-Certificate upon completion
- Post-workshop query support
- Hands-on learning experience
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