Cell Cultures

Code:

B4014

Acronym:

B4014

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Biology

Instance: 2018/2019 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Biology
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Cell and Molecular Biology

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
M:BCM	19	Official Study Plan until 2023/2024	1	-	6	42	162

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

Provide students with basic knowledge of in vitro (animal and plant) cell cultures, practical applications, and their cryopreservation techniques. Provide students with basic knowledge of manipulation in aseptic conditions.

Learning outcomes and competences

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

- recognize the various in vitro plant culture techniques, and good practices of  in vitro manipulation.
- develop methodologies for the establishment of plant cell cultures

- recognize the various techniques of in vitro 2D and 3D animal cultures
- know basic principles of  animal cell biology in culture
- develop methodologies for the establishment of animal cell cultures and evaluation of growth and viability
- recover cryopreserved cells and cryopreserve cells

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

n.a

Program

Module 1. In vitro plant and animal cell cultures; commonly used culture media and culture conditions. Sterilization procedures. Different types of plant cell cultures and applications. Use of plant cell cultures for micropropagation (axillary shoot proliferation, organogenesis and embryogenesis). Other applications of plant cell cultures.

Module 2. Introduction to Biohazard and Biosafety and relevance to in vitro manipulation. Containment and exclusion. Principle of the 3Rs and advantages of in vitro assays. Examples of alternative in vitro vs in vivo tests. 
Animal cell and tissue cultures. Historical references. Media and culture conditions. Biology of the cell in culture. Finite vs continuous cultures. Screening (eg, growth curves, confluence , anchoring) and subculturing. Stem cells, embryonic and adult cells. Plasticity. Cell immortalization and cell lines. Cryopreservation. Cultures in 2D and 3D. Applications and manipulation of animal cells in different scientific fields.

Mandatory literature

Trigiano R. N. Robert Nicholas 1953- 340; Plant development and biotechnology. ISBN: 978-0-8493-1614-2
Jorge M- Canhoto; Biotecnologia Vegetal - da clonagem de plantas à transformação genética, Imprensa da Universidade de Coimbra, 2010. ISBN: 978-989-26-0065-9
Hartmann Hudson Thomas, 1914- 070; Hartmann & Kester.s plant propagation. ISBN: 9780135014493
Freshney RI; Culture of Animal Cells: A Manual of Basic Technique and Specialized Applications, 5th Edition , 2010. ISBN: ISBN: 978-0-470-52812-9
Anon; Cell culture basics Invitrogen(Gibco. Free online available http://www.vanderbilt.edu/viibre/CellCultureBasicsEU.pdf, 2014

Complementary Bibliography

ECACC ; Cell culture Laboratory handbook. Fundamental Techniques in Cell Culture, Laboratory Handbook, 2nd Edition Free online available https://www.phe-culturecollections.org.uk/promotions/labhandbook.aspx, 2012

Teaching methods and learning activities

Classes of theoretical nature and practical classes.
The theoretical classes, with a strongly expository nature, are presented by projection of PowerPoint slides, and supported on dialogue with the students, and in the resolution of exercises and context problems. Students may be invited to present some class themes.

The practical classes allow the acquisition of specific skills, namely those that result from the execution of practical laboratory work (eg, disinfection, inoculation, recovery of frozen cells, cryopreservation, etc.). These practical classes are compulsory.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Exame	75,00
Participação presencial	25,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Frequência das aulas	0,00
Total:	0,00

Eligibility for exams

It is mandatory to attend the practical classes - minimum 75%.

Calculation formula of final grade

Final grade: final exam covering theory and practical subjects graded to 15 points and oral presentation of a program subject graded to 5 points

Final exam minimum mark - 8 points

Observations

Contact Professor (animal component): Conceição Santos
Contact Professor (plant component): Fernanda Fidalgo