Welcome to The Cell Culture Conversation:
Carolyn Peluso, Ph.D.

Advances in cell culture techniques, during the 1940s and 1950s, revolutionized the way that scientists approached biological problems. Cell culture enabled researchers to make impressive strides forward in the diagnosis and treatment of many common diseases. For example, it was indispensable to the development of a polio vaccine, which saved a countless number of lives and calmed the fears of a nation.  In the intervening years, scientists have used cell culture to study and develop treatments for diseases, such as diabetes and cancer and Alzheimer’s Disease. Current and continuing improvements in sequencing technology and culture conditions will allow scientists to cultivate better cell models, which will undoubtedly lead to further vital discoveries. In other words, it is truly an exciting time to be a cell culture scientist.

But, as any good cell culture scientist knows, maintaining cells in culture is as much an art as a science. Just like the people entrusted with their care, every cell line has its own personality: some cells are hearty and easy-going, others are finicky and require constant attention; some cells only thrive when securely joined to others, while still others prefer to remain unattached.  No matter their temperament, they are susceptible to mycoplasma and bacterial contamination, cell cross-contamination, and genetic drift, all of which can affect the quality of your data.  You know that if you understand your cells, and their needs, you can protect them from these problems, and together you can have a productive and rewarding relationship.

Nobody understands or appreciates the cares and concerns of cell culturists the way ATCC does, so this blog will focus on topics relevant to cell culturists in the academic community. In the coming weeks, we will address the problems of mycoplasma and cell cross-contamination, the importance of cell authentication, and how to select the right cell line for your research question. Also, this blog will serve as a companion to the ATCC Cell biology page on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/atcc.cell.biology), so please make sure to check us out and “like” us.  We even have contests . . . with prizes! Also, please feel free to contact us (either here or on the Facebook page) with comments or topics that you’d like us to address.