Class Animal and plant cell technologies

The curricular unit Animal and Plant Cell Technology falls within the field of food and molecular biotechnology, addressing the manipulation of mammalian, plant, and algal cell cultures. Its scope ranges from the maintenance and characterization of eukaryotic cultures to their application in 3D models, toxicity assays, and the production of bioactive compounds. The course allows for the exploration of organoids, bioinks, and transwells in the modeling of biological barriers, with direct applications in the food industry. This training provides essential theoretical and practical skills for biotechnological innovation and employability in laboratory and industrial settings, being particularly relevant in preparing graduates to operate at the interface between cell culture and food technology.

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1. Understanding the requirements for cell cultures: 1.1. Composition of culture media; 1.2. Required equipment; 2. Understanding 2D mammalian cell culture techniques: 2.1. Exploring different types of mammalian cell cultures; 2.2. In-depth understanding of the requirements for maintaining a mammalian cell culture; 3. Understanding plant cell culture techniques: 3.1. Exploring different types of plant cell and tissue cultures; 3.2. In-depth understanding of the requirements for maintaining a plant cell and tissue culture; 4. Understanding algae culture techniques: 4.1. Exploring different types of algae cultures; 4.2. In-depth understanding of the requirements for maintaining an algae culture; 5. Understanding 3D mammalian culture models, bioreactors, microchips, and organoids: 5.1. Development of 3D models and applications in food biotechnology; 5.2. Understanding the necessary steps for scaling up mammalian cell cultures and maintenance in an industrial environment.

This curricular unit provides essential knowledge and skills for handling eukaryotic cell cultures, including mammalian, plant, and algal cells. Students will learn methods for maintenance, propagation, and characterization of these cultures, along with good laboratory practices to ensure safety. Applications such as 3D models, toxicity assays, and production of bioactive compounds in food biotechnology are also covered. Emphasis is placed on the scale-up of cultures for industrial purposes, enabling students to plan and manage the transition from lab to production. These competencies support rapid integration into research or industrial settings and are aligned with current demands in food and molecular biotechnology.

Amanda Capes-Davis, R. Ian Freshney .(2021).Culture of animal cells – a manual of basic technique and specialized applications, 8th edition. ; Wiley Blackwell. J.M. Davis.(2011). Animal cell culture - essential methods. Wiley-Blackwell. ISBN: 978-0-470-66658-6. G. Saha, A. Barua, S. Sinha. (2018). Bioreactors – animal cell culture control for bioprocess engineering.; CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group. M. Pavlovic, K. Radotic. (2017). Animal and plant stem cells – concepts, propagation and engineering. Springer. Loyola-Vargas VM, Ochoa-Alejo N. (2018). An Introduction to Plant Tissue Culture: Advances and Perspectives. Methods Mol Biol.1815:3-13. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4939-8594-4_1. PMID: 29981111.