Understanding the Challenges in Cell Culture Selection

Thermo Fisher Scientific’s new Cell Culture Select Tool addresses a persistent challenge in laboratory science: identifying the appropriate cell culture conditions and selecting the right media, supplements, and reagents for different cell lines. The process is complicated by factors like cell line variability, lack of standardized protocols, and inconsistent reagent quality. These issues can introduce variability and impact experimental results, posing a challenge for scientists across labs.

“Different cell lines have unique requirements,” explained Isha. “It’s challenging to pinpoint optimal culture conditions due to variability in cell line responses. Additionally, there isn’t always a standardized protocol across labs or comprehensive information on specific culturing needs. This can make it difficult to select the most appropriate media, supplements, and other materials.”

Ensuring a consistent supply of high-quality products is essential for reproducibility in experiments. Thermo Fisher Scientific’s trusted brands, such as Gibco, Nunc, and Invitrogen, are known for their quality, which is critical for minimizing variability in experimental readouts.

The Inspiration Behind the Cell Culture Select Tool

The idea for the Cell Culture Select Tool originated from an update to Thermo Fisher Scientific’s online technical reference library. Previously, the website listed recommended media types segmented by cell line culture methods—adherent, semi-adherent, or suspension. While helpful, this list was lengthy and lacked interactive functionality.

Isha said, “We realized that we could streamline this information into a user-friendly tool”. “In our R&D labs, we culture over 150 cell lines using various media, supplements, and equipment. By making this data accessible to other researchers through an interactive tool, we hoped to eliminate the guesswork and enable reproducible cell culture success.”

The tool now provides recommendations for specific media, supplements, and cultureware for culturing, passaging, and freezing over 150 cell lines. With in-house data supporting 75% of these lines, researchers gain access to the resources and insights gathered from Thermo Fisher’s extensive R&D experience.

Selecting Cell Lines for the Tool

The team started with cell lines listed in their technical reference webpage and expanded the list based on the lines frequently cultured in their R&D labs. These labs conduct heavy cell culture work for various applications, including media development, fluorescence imaging, Western blotting, flow cytometry, transfection, transduction studies, and more.

“We wanted to make our R&D data available to researchers for convenience,” shared Isha. “This effort involved many scientists across R&D sites who contributed data and images showing how each cell line appears in recommended media.”

Quality and Verification in Thermo Fisher’s Labs

The tool’s data is backed by rigorous testing in Thermo Fisher’s R&D labs. Cells are grown in their respective media, culture plastics, and consumables over multiple passages to ensure accuracy. For cancer cell lines, STR profiling and mycoplasma testing are conducted regularly, while stem cell cultures are assessed for pluripotency and purity using imaging and flow cytometry.

“Representative images of cell lines, captured using our EVOS imaging system, are available in the tool to help users understand how cells should look in the recommended media,” said the spokesperson. This visual support is particularly helpful for researchers new to specific cell lines, as it aids in verifying successful cultures and maintaining reproducibility.

Future Updates for the Tool

Thermo Fisher plans to continuously update the tool by adding new cell lines and products as they become available. Recent updates included new products like the Gibco CultureCEPT Supplement and Nunc cultureware with Nunclon Supra surface.

“The Gibco CultureCEPT Supplement, for example, reduces cellular stress and improves viability during handling and processing steps where cell damage and death could occur,” explained the representative. “Meanwhile, the Nunclon Supra Surface simplifies work with complex cell lines and primary cells by enhancing attachment and morphology.”

These updates reflect Thermo Fisher’s commitment to innovation, responding to evolving research needs with products that simplify and improve cell culture work.

A Collaborative Effort with Researchers in Mind

The development of the Cell Culture Select Tool was a collaborative project involving many different teams at Thermo Fisher. The goal was to create a one-stop solution for researchers to understand cell culture requirements for any cell line, offering a resource that combines convenience and scientific rigor.

“We hope that researchers around the world find this tool useful,” the Thermo Fisher spokesperson said. “We also welcome feedback to further improve the tool and ensure it continues to meet researchers’ needs.”

The Cell Culture Select Tool is available at thermofisher.com/cellcultureselect, where researchers can explore its features and contribute feedback for future enhancements.

Conclusion

Thermo Fisher’s Cell Culture Select Tool represents a significant advancement for researchers in the field, combining the company’s R&D expertise with an easy-to-use, interactive format. By addressing the challenges of cell culture variability and consistency, Thermo Fisher is enabling more reproducible research and helping scientists achieve better outcomes in their work.

To try the Cell Culture Select Tool for yourself, please see thermofisher.com/cellcultureselect