At the moment I'm struggling with the documentation of my labs cell culture work, and would be happy to hear some suggestions.
I've established an excel table that I though is easy to use and straight forward, calculates some parameters automatically (Population Doubling Time (PDT), cumulative population doubling). Intention was that each passage is one row in the table. This would be ideal if we would have a defined optimal seeding cell density range for the cell lines and with every passage we only prepare one (or multiple) flasks with the same seeding density.
However, when technicians are preparing multiple flasks with various seeding cell density within one passage step, then the whole table is not useful anymore: there is only 1 next row in the table (as the automatic calculations are using the seeded and the harvested cell numbers), but multiple new cultures that needs to be followed separately, as - depending on how the cells feel themselves - these flask may have different outcomes (viability, VCD, PDT, next passage date).
I have done various paper-based cell culture documentation earlier, none of them were able to track properly such dichotomy when multiple flasks were prepared with different parameters (seeding cell density or different volume) at the same time.
Anyone has experienced the same? Any idea what would be the best solution (besides obviously optimize cell culture conditions and than stick to them later on)?
Hi Daniel, I’ve also attempted the same thing as you did and as you’ve said it’s not practical when we seed at different densities, or when the cells are just not behaving properly. My takeaway from doing this is basically you can’t really help it. Currently I only record cells that I’ve cryopreserved, doesn’t need a specific row or column for different passages, just record down all of the details, Passage no, PDL etc. And instead of having a consistent PDL for different passage, I just gave up and note down the PDL for each passage instead (yes need to manually calculate the PDL each time). But this way it’s more practical and realistic. In the end, the important thing is for us to know the PDL and date of cryopreservation. And for record keeping, I also add a column for thawed date and how many that I’ve thawed just to keep track on how many of the stocks are left. Hope this would at least help.
Hey Ahmad,
thank you for your answer!
I've been working at various companies (big ones as well) and I have never seen such a cell culture logging system which was able to document everything, I believe that it is a common non-written agreement that people turn their head away if you can provide the necessary data at the end (just as you explained). It's good to hear that someone else has the same experience:)
In my excel the PDL is calculated automatically (something that you can consider as well) if the input parameters are correct.
- Badges
- Science topic