Human and animal cell culturing has become an integrated part of biomedical and biotechnology research. The Cell biology core facility is the part of Biomedical technology complex at BMC that joins the knowledge, skills, and expertise of research personnel as well as gives centralised access to broad array of equipment. The core facility ensures mammalian cell culture maintenance, characterization and functional testing and the obtaining of primary cell cultures.

The cell culturing area is designed and equipped according to the biosafety level 2. There are three separated blocks for the work with (1) certified cell lines (i.e., obtained from ATCC, ECACC etc.), (2) clinical material to obtain primary cell cultures/lines, and (3) cell lines infected with non-pathogenic viruses or virus-like particles. The main cell culture area is accompanied with a support room for washing and sterilization, several additional microscopy rooms and a biochemistry room. The facility ensures short-term and long-term storage of cells at -80oC and liquid nitrogen tanks.

For pathogenic viruses as Covid 19 and influeza is equipped cell culture room  according to biosafety level 3. There is installed negative preasure laminar with four hand/arm glove portals and inbuild microscope. Steam steriliser-autoclave will ensure safe biological waste management.

The core facility has the capacity of six working places within the cell culture rooms, three at fluorescent microscopes; biochemistry room holds a place for up to five people. Under the supervision of qualified specialists, personnel training for golden standards of cell culturing and characterization is ensured; special attention is paid to the student training. To ensure optimal use of the equipment, it is operated by designated BMC personnel.

The video of the Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre Biomedical Technology complex:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHugKhDdLLY&feature=emb_title