Module section description: Cell culture is the process by which cells are grown under controlled conditions. For develop a cell culture first is necessary to isolate some cells of a tissue pieces of tissue can be placed in growth media, and the cells that grow out are available for culture. This method is known as explants culture. Cells are grown and maintained at an appropriate temperature and gas mixture (typically, 37°C, 5% CO2 for mammalian cells) in a cell incubator. Culture conditions vary widely for each cell type, and variation of conditions for a particular cell type can result in different phenotypes being expressed. Passaging (also known as subculture or splitting cells) involves transferring a small number of cells into a new vessel. Cells can be cultured for a longer time if they are split regularly, as it avoids the senescence associated with prolonged high cell density. Suspension cultures are easily passaged with a small amount of culture containing a few cells diluted in a larger volume of fresh media. For adherent cultures, cells first need to be detached; this is commonly done with a mixture of trypsin-EDTA, however other enzyme mixes are now available for this purpose. A small number of detached cells can then be used to seed a new culture.

A lot of processes involved in cell culture that were once performed manually by skilled technicians, are now being automated by robotic systems connected to each other by software programs that help coordinate all the various activities. The use of cells in the drug pipeline has also increased in recent years.

Next some commercial companies which works in automation:

AUTOMATION PARTNERSHIP
The CompacT SelecT automated cell culture and assay-ready plating system is suitable for smaller medium-throughput laboratories. The system grows cells from multiple cell lines in T-flasks for cell line maintenance and expansion.

TECAN These flexible platforms can be tailored to automate most cell biology processes, with options to allow passaging, isolation, suspension handling, counting and incubation of cells in a protected environment.

MATRICAL
The MACCS™ automated cell culture system features a modular, expandable design and the ability to work with Roboflasks, T-flasks, shaker and spinner flasks, microtiter plates, and roller bottles. incubator module design ensures uniform temperature, CO2 and humidity control.

VELOCITY11
The BioCel system is a compact, high-performance automated platform. A central radial robotic arm brings speed and throughput to the system, making it both affordable and easily expandable. Users can protect cells and compounds with environmental-control options in the BioCel 1800 and 1200 systems