Mastering Tomorrow’s Cell Culture Challenges
The Quest for Seamless Operations
Scientists worldwide are tackling complex cell culture strategies, from organoids and tissue models to iPSC-derived neuronal cells. One of their worst nightmares is losing precious cells, painstakingly cultured with expensive reagents and supplements. Contamination, inconsistent results, and inefficient lab operations can have devastating effects, leading to discarded cells and repeated, costly experiments. The quest for seamless cell culture operations is crucial for developing representative disease models, personalised medical treatments, and producing living cells as medicines. The engineering of cell culture lab equipment plays a vital role in ensuring reliable contamination prevention and consistent, trustworthy experimental outcomes. This article highlights some of the challenges in cell culture, focusing on experimental reproducibility, contamination prevention, and seamless lab operations.
Contamination Prevention
For high-value cell culture research, CO₂ incubators with proven contamination control features are critical. These features should be independently tested according to international guidelines and validated with scientifically demonstrated efficacy. Thermo Fisher Scientific validates heat sterilisation cycles in its CO₂ incubators following US and EU Pharmacopeia guidelines1. The Thermo Scientific™ Vios™ iDx CO₂ Incubators provide proof of a 12-log SAL (Sterility Assurance Level) and extensive temperature mapping to help ensure all areas reach and maintain the specified temperature. Additional contamination risk management features include in-chamber HEPA filtration, a covered humidity reservoir2, an electropolished stainless steel interior chamber and shelving system, and an option for a 100% solid copper alloy interior.
The Thermo Scientific™ Vios™ iDx Cell Locker™ System is an innovation designed to help combat cell culture contamination. It features six individual autoclavable chambers for culture segregation and protection of highly sensitive cells, such as primary, stem cells, or virus-producing cells. This system enables the simultaneous execution of unique projects by segregating different users and cell types, preventing cross-contamination and maintaining an optimal environment for delicate cells3. Widely used and validated sterilisation protocols are essential to reducing cell culture contamination. When selecting a CO₂ incubator, it is important to seek proof of testing and validation of heat sterilisation cycles according to the latest Pharmacopoeia standards. Not all manufacturers rigorously test or validate these features in accordance with the 10th edition of the European Pharmacopoeia. Comprehensive third-party validation should include necessary positive and negative controls and the use of appropriate biological indicators. Scientists should request proof of testing and validation to ensure the highest standards for maintaining a contamination-free environment, helping safeguard the integrity of cell culture operations.
Quest for Reproducible Experimental Results
Ensuring experimental reproducibility is critical in research, especially in academic settings. Despite its importance, many scientists may struggle to reproduce others’ results. Successful academic research relies on reproducible data to support decision-making and translate discoveries into effective therapeutics. Optimal cell growth conditions are vital for reproducibility. Variations in cell quality attributes, including epigenetics, can arise from inconsistent culture conditions in a CO₂ incubator. Implementing advanced features and technologies in CO₂ incubator design can significantly enhance reproducibility. Uniform conditions throughout the chamber and rapid recovery after door openings help maintain cells in their ideal environment, promoting growth and maintaining quality.
Key features for consistent CO₂ incubator performance include:
- Complete temperature mapping for uniformity data (DIN 12880 compliance)
- High-quality sensors in the chamber to measure conditions experienced by cells5,6
- Thermo Scientific™ THRIVE™ active airflow technology7
- High-capacity water reservoir for homogeneous growth conditions2
Laboratory equipment incorporating scientifically validated features and technologies supports consistent performance and reproducible results. Users should be able to request reports and technical data to verify supplier specifications. Additionally, manufacturers often provide comprehensive support for equipment use and maintenance to promote effective lab operations4.
Seamless Operations in Busy Cell Culture Labs
Academic research labs frequently face overcrowding, especially in small cell culture rooms, where research fellows, PhD and master’s students, and research assistants run multiple valuable cell culture projects simultaneously. The mix of personalities and varying aseptic skills can challenge even the most organised lab managers. Busy cell culture labs can lead to CO₂ incubators being overloaded with different types of vessels containing various experimental cells, each with distinct requirements and sensitivities. Frequent door openings make it difficult for incubators to maintain optimal CO₂ concentration, temperature, and relative humidity, which can adversely affect sensitive primary and stem cells.
The Vios iDx CO₂ incubator technology aims to reduce the risk of losing valuable experiments by protecting sensitive cells. When combined with the Thermo Scientific Cell Locker System, it offers six individual autoclavable chambers designed for culture segregation and protection of primary or stem cells. This system allows multiple projects to run simultaneously, separating users and cell types while maintaining ideal environments for sensitive cells. Frequent CO₂ incubator openings require durable doors with ergonomic handles for easy access, especially when hands are occupied with cell culture vessels. An intuitive, easy-to-read display is essential in busy labs.
Building on over a decade of product development, the next-generation Vios iDx CO₂ incubators feature the largest CO₂ incubator display to date—a 7” touchscreen—and a robust, full-length ergonomic door handle. The large, easy-to-clean display enables users to monitor conditions from a distance. Historical usage patterns and data can be reviewed via a conveniently placed USB port on the screen. Furthermore, the system is connectivity-ready for remote monitoring and data management, helping users stay in control from anywhere.
Conclusions
High-quality results from cell culture research can significantly impact the development of reliable disease models and advanced therapeutics, necessitating CO₂ incubators that support the full spectrum of cell culture work from research to GMP production. The Vios iDx CO₂ incubators are designed to help deliver consistent operations in even the most rigorously controlled lab environments, showcasing validated technologies and performance. These incubators support seamless operations, making them well-suited for modern laboratories focused on high-value, sensitive cell culture applications and trustworthy experimental outcomes.
References
1 Thermo Fisher Scientific. Steri-Run sterilization cycle proves total sterilisation. Application Note.
2 Thermo Fisher Scientific. Unique design helps prevent contaminants in CO₂ incubator water. Technical Note.
3 Thermo Fisher Scientific. Cell Locker Systems: Protected chambers for your most sensitive cells. eBook.
4 Thermo Fisher Scientific. Mastering CO₂ incubator care: A comprehensive guide to optimal cell culture conditions. eBook.
5 Thermo Fisher Scientific. Evaluating Infrared Carbon Dioxide Sensors for 21st Century Cell Culture: Introducing the Thermo Scientific IR180Si Infrared CO₂ sensor. Application Note.
6 Thermo Fisher Scientific. Why does the location of sensors in my CO₂ incubator affect responses from my cultured cells? Smart Note.
7 Thermo Fisher Scientific. Why is a circulating fan essential to superior growth conditions in a CO₂ cell culture incubator? Smart Note.
