Mammalian cell culture is a highly regarded yet rarely taught technique for both academic and industrial research, often requested for graduate-level researcher positions. Our Mammalian Cell Culture course offers laboratory-based tuition using a range of human and animal cell lines, commonly used in pharmaceutical, toxicological, immunology and molecular biology research.

Working in small groups, students receive comprehensive tuition with experienced scientists covering the laboratory requirements and legal regulations of cell culture in the UK.

Students then develop their practical skills learning the below techniques:

• Sterile media preparation
• Passaging of suspension and adherent cell lines
• Cryopreservation and resuspension of cell stocks
• Cell separation and isolation using density centrifugation techniques.
• Analysis of morphology and cell number
• Cell viability assay (commonly used for in vitro drug predictions and nanotoxicology research) using students own cells

Students will have the opportunity to repeat and perfect their new skills throughout the week.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award

BioGrad is an Approved Activity Provide for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. This course may be used as your Duke of Edinburgh Gold Residential Award, which can be signed off by the course leader on the final day.

Please provide your Duke of Edinburgh Award number on your registration form at the time of booking your course.

Students using this course for their GOLD residential must stay for at least 4 nights in dormitory accommodation.

Certification

Students will be provided with certificates of attendance at the end of this event.

Attending a laboratory skills programme at BioGrad will allow students to meet with real scientists and learn techniques that will ultimately help them get a job. Students will gain valuable insights into the range of careers and laboratory research opportunities available. We have links with many companies who recruit interns and graduates based on our recommendations. We aim to inspire students to enter a research career and offer help finding opportunities that most students are unaware of. Our laboratory and office environments are very informal offering a relaxed and enjoyable environment for students to learn in.

Photographs

We will happily take photographs of students working in the laboratory which often serve as excellent profile pictures for work related social networking (such as LinkedIn).

Students are asked not to take photographs of other attendees or staff without consent. Students under the age of 18 years old must provide the completed photo/video consent form on the first day of the course (sent to all students in their course registration confirmation) if they wish to have photographs taken for use on professional or social media.

Clothing and Equipment

Students are advised to wear comfortable clothes and shoes (ensuring legs and feet are covered when in the laboratory). We advise layered clothing as it can become warm when wearing a lab coat and gloves all day.

All personal protective equipment is provided during the course however students should bring a note book for recording their results and a laptop/tablet for preparing their presentation on the final day.

Pre-requisites

To get the most from this course without previous laboratory experience should attend either the 1 day or 5 day laboratory skills course first. It is assumed that students attending the Molecular Biology course understand risk assessments and COSHH. Students should be able to calculate and create their own molar stock solutions, perform a pH test and serial dilutions in a 96 well plate. It is also required that students have an understanding of the basic theory behind PCR, Western Blotting and ELISA.

Groups

Universities, distance learning providers and DofE centres can book a bespoke course for groups of 8-10 students per week. Full board options are available including evening activities. Please contact info@biograd.co.uk for availability.

International groups may take advantage of our collaboration with Liverpool School of English, booking a 2 week course with English tuition, full board home stay, transfers and insurance. Please contact info@biograd.co.uk for availability.

Food

Students have an hour for lunch each day. There are many places to purchase food and drink within walking distance of the Science Park, including the City of Liverpool College, Subway, Tesco’s, Costa, The EveryMan theatre and many small sandwich/coffee shops. Students wishing to bring their own food have access to a fridge and microwave during the course, plus a break room containing vending machines, a pool table and sky TV on-site.

Students who are attending as a residential course can make the most of their evenings by exploring the huge range of restaurants within walking distance of the Art House Hotel.

Luggage

The BioGrad facilities and The Art House Hotel both have secure facilities for storing luggage on the days of arrival and departure. During the rest of the week students will be asked to store their belongings in locked cupboards opposite BioGrad Student Services (Outside of the laboratories and clinical training rooms) during the training sessions.

Further Information

Accommodation

Evening Activities

BioGrad Facilities

Meet the Team

For further information please contact us using this form or email us at info@biograd.co.uk.

Course Payment:

All payments are taken securely with PayPal. All major debit and credit cards are accepted so you don’t need a PayPal account.

There are four payment options available:

• Pay in full at the time of booking
• Pay in 2 - £174 deposit with the remainder due 28 days before the course commences (only available if booking more than 28 days in advance)
• Pay in 6 - 6 monthly payments of £116 (only available if booking more than 26 weeks in advance)
• Pay in 12 - 12 monthly payments of £58 (only available if booking more than 54 weeks in advance)

There is no charge for early payment, which can be made via PayPal at any time.

Means tested bursaries available for students attending BioGrad Partner Schools. See our bursary page for further information

AVAILABLE COURSES

We are frequently adding new course dates to the site, if you would like to be informed about these new course dates please enter your email address below and we'll let you know when the new dates are added.