LABORATORY PRACTICES

LABORATORY PROCEDURES FOR ANIMAL & HUMAN CELL LINES

REFERENCE NO: AHC/1998/1/2.2

TITLE: LABORATORY PRACTICES

INTRODUCTION

Most cell lines have not been fully characterised and there must be a certain degree of caution with regard to the presence of potential virus contaminants which may be shed from the cultures.

Any laboratory proposing to carry out cell culture work should follow the following basic recommendations.

PROCEDURE

Laboratory coats or gowns should be worn at all times and should be removed before leaving the laboratory.

Eating, drinking, smoking and the application of cosmetics must not be permitted in the laboratory.

Mouth pipetting is strictly forbidden. A wide range of automatic and semi-automatic pipetting devices must be made available.

The swabbing of work surfaces with effective disinfectants must be a routine part of laboratory procedures.

Discarded materials, both laboratory ware and spent tissue culture media should be handled safely and decontaminated prior to disposal. Transportation of material should be in secure robust containers so that accidental spillage is prevented.

Supervisory considerations

All staff should be adequately trained (and training records maintained) in all aspects of cell culture and also in the handling of potential pathogens. They should be aware of the local safety policy and any national or local codes of practice. They should also be capable of dealing with emergencies if they arise.
All accidents and incidents should be recorded and reported to the appropriate authorities.

See also Principles for Good Laboratory Practices for Micro-organisms M/1998/1.06 Appendix 3

Guidelines prepared for CABRI by CERDIC, DSMZ, ECACC, INRC, November 1998
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