Module: Introduction to Animal Cell Culture Theory

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title	Introduction to Animal Cell Culture Theory
Module Code	BE525 (ITS) / BTE1026 (Banner)
Faculty	Science & Health	School	Biotechnology
Module Co-ordinator	-
Module Teachers	-
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	2.5
Pre-requisite	Not Available
Co-requisite	Not Available
Compatibles	Not Available
Incompatibles	Not Available

None

Description

The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the growing of animal cells in culture, the important parameters to be considered in the cultivation of animal cells in vitro, good laboratory procedures in the handling and growing of animal cells, and the scale up of cells. Students are expected to attend lectures.

Learning Outcomes

1. Have an ability to critically analyse the importance of aseptic techniques and the technology needed to implement this.
2. Assess the Q.A. issues that effect animal cell culture and implement the good laboratory practice for the correct handling of animal cells.
3. Have an ability to assess the types of cell cultures to use for specific studies.
4. Evaluate the growth media for animal cells, its constituents, the growth factors added, and how it influences cell behavior.
5. Evaluate and select the optimum methods and cell based assays to characterize cells and study different process
6. Critically analyse the problems and the processes required in scaling up animal cell cultures.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	12	A series of lectures detailing the fundamental aspects of animal cell biology
Independent Study	37	Reading of recomended texts that further develop central core concepts highlighted during lectures
Directed learning	1	Exam
Independent Study	12	Self study and exam preparation
Total Workload: 62

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Cell Culture Technique
Culturing animal cells; aseptic technique; cyropreservation; sub cultivation; media formulation and culture environment.

Sterility & Aseptic Techniques
Types of microbial contamination; Methods of detection.

Primary Cell Culture
Techniques used to isolate and grow cells in vitro; The importance of culture conditions in the growth of a selected cell type.

Cell Based Assays
Basics of proliferation assays; Different proliferation assay protocols; Basics of Invasion and migration assays; Cell adhesion assays and In vitro models of disease.

Cell Identification
The importance of cell identification; methods to authenticate cells.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	0%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Short Answer Questions	End of module examination to assess the understanding of core aspects of animal cell culture.	100%

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories: Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module. Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module. Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category -

Indicative Reading List

Martin Clynes: 1998, Animal Cell Culture Techniques, Springer,
Ian Freshney: 2005, Culture of Animal Cells: A Manual of Basic Technique, 5, Wiley-Liss,
John R. W. Masters: 2000, • Animal Cell Culture: A Practical Approach, 3, Oxford University Press,

Other Resources

None