How much does a normal tissue culture lab cost?
It depends widely on the amount of plants you want to produce per month, and your purposes and goals. But as a general guide it can cost as little as $3500 to get started with a small lab.
What is the single most important thing for succeeding when starting a tissue culture lab?
Planning. Plans for lab design, contamination prevention, sterilizing procedures, flow of workers, PPE, loss of cultures, HVAC holding proper temperature in the culture room, positive pressure, autoclave maintenance, etc.
What are the necessary precautions? Can tissue culture be harmful?
Yes, tissue culture can be harmful to the operator if not properly trained. Autoclaves are the most dangerous part of a tissue culture lab, and the manual of the autoclave you use should be read and followed thoroughly. Proper PPE is also essential, like wearing a face shield and autoclave gloves while operating it. In addition, the handling of various chemicals can be hazardous, and proper PPE such as nitrile or latex gloves, eyeglasses, and face masks are recommended. And lastly, bead sterilizers have the potential to cause serious burns if handled improperly.
What is proper aseptic technique and why is it important?
Aseptic technique is a set of practices that utilizes sterile materials and barriers to prevent the spread of microorganisms. Proper aseptic technique takes time to master, and requires a keen attention and awareness of which areas are contaminated and which areas are clean. For example, any package brought into the lab should first be sprayed down with 70% ethanol or isopropyl alcohol. Aseptic technique is important to the success of a lab, as contamination causes scrap or loss.