Cell culture facilities

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The Cell culture facilities are requested for 2 NSERC-funded research programs and 1 NSERC-CIHR Collaborative Health Research Project in biochemistry, cell signaling, oxidative stress, plant and molecular biology, cell cryopreservation and environmental toxicology, which aim to understand: (1) the cellular and molecular responses to different stresses (oxidative stress, heat shock, pesticides) in mammalian (HeLa, A549, CHO, HepG2) and plant cells; (2) the cellular, molecular, and genetic mechanisms that regulate low temperature tolerance in plants; and (3) mechanisms involved in the protective function of wheat proteins against cryopreservation damage in hepatocytes, insulin-secreting INS832/13 cells and pancreatic islets. These projects are all carried out in mammalian cells and require access to cell culture facilities on a fulltime and daily basis. The Sanyo Incusafe CO2 incubator with 2 stackable chambers has features of precision of CO2 and temperature control, and contamination control. The single-beam, dual detector infrared (IR2) CO2 sensor delivers precise CO2 control and quick recovery following door openings. The Direct Heat & Air JacketTM Heating System precisely regulates temperature under microprocessor PID control. The incubator has three features to decrease risk of contamination in cell cultures: i) A SterisonicTM H2O2 sterilization system for total chamber sterilization in situ; ii) An integrated SafeCellTM UV system cleans interior airflow to destroy airborne and humidity pan contaminants; iii) InCu SaFeTM copper-enriched stainless steel interior surfaces assure germicidal protection. The Thermolyne Locator Jr Plus cryogenic container has a storage capacity of 20 boxes and holds 2000 vials of cells. An indexed rack and box system allows quick and efficient sample retrieval. There is an ultrasound monitor for liquid nitrogen levels, to safeguard biological samples. It is essential to stock frozen cell lines at -196C to control passage number and possible cell contaminations. The cell culture facilities are indispensable for high quality, competitive research and graduate student training in the laboratories of these 2 senior NSERC-funded investigators, at the Canadian and international levels.