Annamalai Uiversity UGC Workshop on Animal Cell Culture Techniques

UGC - SAP Sponsored National Level Workshop on ‘Animal Cell Culture Techniques’

March 13-15, 2010

Organized by

Department of Biochemistry & Biotechnology
Annamalai University
Annamalainagar, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, India

HOST DEPARTMENT

The Department of Biochemistry was started in 1994. In a short span of time the Department has made rapid strides in teaching and research. Now the Department offers 2 year M.Sc. Biochemistry, M.Sc. Biotechnology programs and a 5 year integrated M.Sc. Biotechnology program. In addition to this it offers M.Phil and Ph.D. programs. The major areas of research in the Department include free radicals and antioxidant defence systems, analysis of medicinal utilities of natural products for the treatment of diabetes, heart disease, hepatotoxicity, cancer and for radioprotection. The Department has collaborative programs with a number of national and international Universities and Institutes. The Department has organized number of workshops and conferences where participants have come from different Institutes and Universities. DST has recognized the department for funding under DST-FIST program under UGC for SAP-DRS program (Phase II).

WORKSHOP BACKGROUND 

Cell culture has become one of the major tools used in life sciences today. Cell cultures provide a good model system for studying 1) basic cell biology and biochemistry, 2) the interactions between disease-causing agents and cells, 3) the effects of drugs on cells and 4) the process and trigger for aging. Liver and kidney-derived cell lines are widely used alone or in conjunction with animal tests to study the effects of new drugs, cosmetics and chemicals on survival and growth in a wide variety of cell types. Since both normal cells and cancer cells can be grown in culture, the basic differences between them can be closely studied. In addition, it is possible, by the use of chemicals, viruses and radiation, to convert normal cultured cells to cancer causing cells. Thus, the mechanisms that cause the change can be studied. Cultured cancer cells also serve as a test system to determine suitable drugs and methods for selectively destroying types of cancer. One of the earliest and major uses of cell culture is the replication of viruses in cell cultures (in place of animals) for use in vaccine production. Cell cultures are also widely used in the clinical detection and isolation of viruses, as well as basic research into how they grow and infect organisms. Cell-based assays have become increasingly important for the pharmaceutical industry, not just for cytotoxicity testing but also for high throughput screening of compounds that may have potential use as drugs. In this background the present workshop is designed to provide a hands-on training in basic animal cell culture techniques and to expose application of animal cell culture techniques in anticancer drug screening.

WORKSHOP PROGRAMME 

The workshop will be conducted for 20 participants. This Cell Culture workshop will cover lectures and hands-on experience on

* Basics in animal cell cultivation

Media preparation
Sub-culturing
Assessing viability of cultured cells
Suspension and adherent culture
Cryopreservation and thawing
Dealing with contamination

* Testing cytotoxicity of anticancer agents/phytochemicals by

MTT assay
Clonogenic cell survival assay

* Assessment of genotoxicity of anticancer agents/phytochemicals by

Alkaline single cell gel electrophoresis & Analyzing comet length by CASP software
Cytokinesis blocked micronuclei assay

* Estimation of intracellular ROS by DCFH-DA fluorescence staining
* Measurement of mitochondrial membrane potential by Rh-123
* Analysis of apoptotic morphological changes by ethidium bromide/acridine orange staining in cultured cells

VENUE

Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar 608 002, Tamilnadu

REGISTRATION 

Participants are requested to apply for registration in the prescribed format along with a demand draft for Rs. 1,000/- drawn in favour of “The Registrar, Annamalai University, Payable at Annamalainagar, Tamilnadu.

TA/DA AND ACCOMMODATION 

TA/DA will be given for 10 participants on first come first served basis. Accommodation for the participants will be provided in University Guest House/Hostels

TIME SCHEDULE 

Last date to receive application: 1st March, 2009. 

Upon receipt of the completed application form, the registration shall be confirmed and this will be intimated to the participants by email.

PROGRAM SCHEDULE 

Morning session: 9.00 am to 1.00 pm (with a 15 min tea break)
Lunch (will be provided): 1.00 pm to 2.00 pm
Afternoon session 2.00 pm to 6 pm (with a 15 min tea break)

FOR CORRESPONDANCE 

Dr. N. Rajendra Prasad
Organizing Secretary
National Level Workshop on “Animal Cell Culture Techniques”
Department of Biochemistry & Biotechnology
Annamalai University
Annamalainagar 608 002.
Tamilnadu.
Phone: 04144-239141
(0)9842305384
E.mail: drprasadnr@gmail.com

Download Registration Form