Development of Cell Culture System Equipped with Automated Observation Function

Abstract

Research on regenerative medicine and cell therapy has progressed in recent years. Numerous cultured cells are used directly in clinical settings in regenerative medicine and cell therapy. It is important to observe the proliferation of the cultured cells using a microscope. However, the removal of culture vessels from a CO2 incubator subjects the cells to stress due to environmental changes and adversely affects cell growth. Thus, we have developed a cell culture system equipped with automated observation function that allows automated observation of cell cultures without removing the cultured cells from the CO2 incubator. This system comprises an automated cell observation unit to observe the cultured cells and an automated transfer unit to transfer the culture vessels in the CO2 incubator since this environment is harsh for mechanical devices. The automated cell observation unit consists of some optical components that should be stored in a moisture-proof case to isolate them from the environment of the CO2 incubator. The automated transfer unit is verified to have sufficient durability using oil and grease that does not exhibit any effect on cell growth. This system can acquire some time-lapse images of the cell culture continuously in the CO2 incubator.