cell culture Lauren Davis
The risky business of cell culture The process of cell culture is one which can be beneficial for modelling health and disease but is not without its risks — risks which many scientists are often willing to take.
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Sydney researchers, led by CellBank Australia General Manager Mark Shannon. When asked about the sources of cell lines that entered their laboratories during the previous
ultured cells — ie, those removed
year, 76% of respondents indicated that they had
from an animal or plant for growth in an artificial
obtained cell lines from either research laboratories
environment — retain many of the properties of
or originators — sources where mycoplasma and
the parental tissue or cell type, including disease-
authentication testing are often not performed — as
specific changes. This similarity means that cell-
opposed to official cell line repositories. In addition,
based screening platforms can be used effectively
more than half (54%) had gifted their cell lines to
to test new therapeutic approaches.
other research laboratories.
However, cell culture also carries risks.
The researchers acknowledged that the sharing
Without proper handling, cultured cells may
of reagents is often seen in the scientific community
change in behaviour as they are transferred to new
as a form of collaboration. “However,” they
medium formulations, become contaminated with
wrote, “sharing of cell lines contravenes Material
microorganisms or become cross-contaminated
Transfer Agreements, which usually state that
by cells from another culture. This could place
material should not be distributed to third parties.
the safety of the scientist at risk and/or negatively
Sharing of cell lines without testing also means that
impact any subsequent research. However, many
contamination is not detected and is an important
laboratories are not aware of common cell culture
reason why it continues to be a widespread problem.
problems and do not manage these risks effectively.
“To address this risk, scientists should
In order to assess cell culture risks and their
obtain their cell lines from a source that performs
management, not-for-profit cell line repository
mycoplasma and authentication testing. We
CellBank Australia conducted what is claimed to
encourage scientists to deposit published cell
be the first survey to look at cell culture practice in
lines in a repository, where the necessary testing
Australia and New Zealand. The 250 eligible survey
is performed to detect contamination before cell
respondents were typically Australian biomedical
lines are widely distributed.”
scientists with at least 12 months’ experience
Respondents were further quizzed on their
who handle multiple cell lines on a weekly basis.
own laboratories’ testing and quality assurance
The results of the survey were published in the
practices. When asked about mycoplasma, 75%
International Journal of Cancer by University of
of respondents indicated that testing was typically
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