Course contents *

Purposes of cell culture. Safety and legislation. Cell culture laboratory: equipment, cleaning, appliances. Cell culture methods. Media and solutions. Freezing and thawing. Contamination of cell cultures. Methods for measuring cell viability / cell death.

Lectures (10 hours), laboratory work (12 hours).

 Laboratory exercises:

- replating of animal cells (two lab occasions)

- assessment of cell viability / cell death

Intended learning outcomes *

The course is designed for physicists who are interested in working with biological objects such as cultured animal cells. The aim of the course is to provide answers to questions that arise during experiments on living cells and during the practical work with cell culture.

Upon completion of the course, students should be able to:

• account for the basic characteristics of animal cells
• account for the main needs of cultured cells / requirements for cell environment in cell culture
• assess which equipment and consumables are needed for cell culture and for experiments on living cells
• describe which modern techniques are used in cell culture
• from the knowledge about the cell culture techniques and cell properties, be able to assess and motivate which cells and which cell culture techniques are most suitable for different experiments
• perform the basic procedures in cell culture (count, replate cells, assess their condition)
• understand the risks and ethical problems related to cell culture

Course Disposition

No information inserted

Specific prerequisites *

For single courses students, 120 hp is required in engineering and natural sciences or equivalent, as well as knowledge of English B or equivalent.

Recommended prerequisites

SK2530 (Introduction to Biomedicine) or SK2531 (Biomedicine for Engineers) is recommended, but is not a requirement.

Equipment

No information inserted

Literature

Lecture notes, cell culture protocols.

ECACC Handbook – Fundamental Techniques for ECACC Cell Lines (online).

Grading scale *

A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Examination *

• LAB1 - Laboratory experiments, 2.0 credits, Grading scale: P, F
• TEN1 - Written exam, 2.0 credits, Grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.

The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

Other requirements for final grade *

Laboratory exercises (LAB1 2,0 credits, grade: P)

Written exam (TEN1 2,0 credits, grade scale: A, B, C, D, E)

Opportunity to complete the requirements via supplementary examination

No information inserted

Opportunity to raise an approved grade via renewed examination

No information inserted

Examiner

Marina Zelenina

Course web

Further information about the course can be found on the Course web at the link below. Information on the Course web will later be moved to this site.

Offered by

SCI/Applied Physics

Main field of study *

Biotechnology

Education cycle *

Second cycle

Add-on studies

No information inserted

Contact

Marina Zelenina (marinaz@kth.se)

Ethical approach *

• All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
• In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
• In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.