Definition of Liquid Aspiration
Aspiration System and Cell Culture Lab Essential
Handling and disposal of liquid waste
What does Liquid Aspiration mean?
Liquid aspiration is a common technique in modern biological technology, Cell Culture. Cell culture involves culturing eukaryotic or prokaryotic cells in a controlled state by allowing them to grow and proliferate in culture medium. Liquid (Vacuum) Aspiration in laboratory is often used to remove the liquid waste metabolized in the cell culture with vacuum pump. The vacuuming pump generates negative pressure to bring the unwanted fluid into waste bottles without disturbing cultured cells.
Aspiration System and Cell Culture Lab Essential
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Cell Culture Hood (i.e., laminar-flow hood or biosafety cabinet) |
The cell culture hood provides an aseptic work area while allowing the containment of infectious splashes or aerosols generated by many microbiological procedures. |
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Incubator |
The purpose of the incubator is to provide the appropriate environment for cell growth. Incubators enable the correct growth conditions by controlling the temperature, degree of humidity and CO2 levels. |
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Aspiration System |
A pump (or An aspiration system) in the laminar flow hood is used to remove media and reagents from cell culture vessels easily. |
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Optical Microscope |
An Optical microscope, such as upright microscope and inverted microscope, is an essential tool for a cell culture laboratory. Visualization of cells is required to monitor cell morphology, count cells and identify contamination. |
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Cryogenic Storage (i.e., ultra-low freezer) |
Cell lines in continuous culture are likely to suffer from genetic instability as their passage number increases, such as genetic drift and senescence; therefore, it is essential to prepare working stocks of the cells and preserve them in cryogenic storage for long-term storage. |
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Water Bath |
A water bath set to 37oC is commonly found in cell culture laboratories for pre-warming medium before use and thawing frozen cells and reagents. |
Rocker Lafil series suction system is an unique integrated bio-suction system by combining vacuum source with suction kit. Its compact design save more bench space than other traditional ones. With a fence-like platform design, it can prevent user’s negligence from tipping over the suction bottles.
Rocker Lafil Suction System and BioDolphin Suction Kit
Handling and disposal of liquid waste
Organic liquid waste that contains hazardous chemicals like chlorine, should be collected in appropriate containers with proper labeling.
Non-hazardous chemical liquid can be collected in a general waste container for liquid or oil.
Liquids like cell culture medium or supernatants should be added with appropriate concentration of disinfectants, such as bleach (sodium hypochlorite), to kill the cells then drain directly.
Other biomedical related wastes such as petri dishes and other consumable materials should be placed in a biomedical waste bags and sterilized (autoclave) before disposal. Please refer to local regulations for biomedical waste disposal.
References:
1) Cell Culture Basics: Equipment, Fundamentals and Protocols | Technology Networks
2) CellCultureBasicsEU.pdf (vanderbilt.edu)
3) Environmental Protection Administration, Executive Yuan, R.O.C.(Taiwan) -Chinese Content (epa.gov.tw)
