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About This Simulation
Find out what it’s like to work in a cell culture laboratory. Learn how to use the aseptic technique to avoid contamination of your cells, and discover what it takes to keep them alive.
Learning Objectives
- Apply the aseptic technique and other good laboratory practices in a cell culture lab
- Describe the minimum requirements to have an adequate cell environment that supports cell growth
- Describe and perform the key steps when working with mammalian cells in vitro: thawing and plating; cell passaging; cell cryopreservation
- Correctly use a biosafety cabinet and an automated cell counter
About This Simulation
Lab Techniques
- Cell counting
- Cell passaging
- Cell culture
- Cell cryopreservation
Related Standards
- No direct alignment
- No direct alignment
- No direct alignment
Learn More About This Simulation
Did you know there are approximately 37 trillion cells in your body? In the Cell Culture Basics simulation, you will learn how to culture cells in a controlled environment. You will perform the different steps to keep them healthy by using a standard cell culture protocol for eukaryotic cells. For this purpose, you will also learn the aseptic technique.
Provide an extra vial of cells
In the Cell Culture Basics simulation, your lab assistant, Dr. One, is working on finding promising treatments for skin cancer. She is performing an experiment where she is using fibroblasts, but to complete the experiment, she needs more cells. Your goal is therefore to help her with the cell culture to grow more cells and store a vial for future tests.
Perform a cell culture passage
During the Cell Culture Basics lab, you will learn what the ideal physical and chemical conditions to grow eukaryotic cells are. You will also prepare the reagents needed to support the growth of cells. You will work in a biosafety cabinet and discover how to use the aseptic technique to avoid any undesired contamination in your cell culture.
Watch your cells grow—fast
Unlike in a real lab, you don’t need to wait for hours and hours to see how the fibroblasts you seed will grow. Instead, in this virtual simulation, you can fast-forward the process and make it grow in just a couple of seconds! You can use a phase contrast microscope to visualize your cell culture and identify different cell morphologies. When your cells have reached the desired growth, you will use trypsin to unravel the secrets of a cell culture passage.
Analyze cell viability and freeze cells
As your final task in the Cell Culture Basics simulation, you will analyze the viability of your cell culture using the Trypan blue exclusion stain and an automatic cell counter. After that, you will prepare a new vial of cells to be cryopreserved using DMSO as a cryopreservation agent.
Will you be able to provide a vial of healthy cells for the cancer research experiments?
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FAQs
Find answers to frequently asked questions.
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A Labster virtual lab is an interactive, multimedia assignment that students access right from their computers. Many Labster virtual labs prepare students for success in college by introducing foundational knowledge using multimedia visualizations that make it easier to understand complex concepts. Other Labster virtual labs prepare learners for careers in STEM labs by giving them realistic practice on lab techniques and procedures.
Labster’s virtual lab simulations are created by scientists and designed to maximize engagement and interactivity. Unlike watching a video or reading a textbook, Labster virtual labs are interactive. To make progress, students must think critically and solve a real-world problem. We believe that learning by doing makes STEM stick.
Yes, Labster is compatible with all major LMS (Learning Management Systems) including Blackboard, Canvas, D2L, Moodle, and many others. Students can access Labster like any other assignment. If your institution does not choose an LMS integration, students will log into Labster’s Course Manager once they have an account created. Your institution will decide which is the best access method.
Labster is available for purchase by instructors, faculty, and administrators at education institutions. Purchasing our starter package, Labster Explorer, can be done using a credit card if you are located in the USA, Canada, or Mexico. If you are outside of North America or are choosing a higher plan, please speak with a Labster sales representative. Compare plans.
Labster supports a wide range of STEM courses at the high school, college, and university level across fields in biology, chemistry, physics, and health sciences. You can identify topics for your courses by searching our Content Catalog.