Modification History
Not applicable.
Unit Descriptor
Unit descriptor |
This unit of competency covers the ability to prepare, maintain and preserve cells and cell lines for a variety of applications, such as large scale culture, production of monoclonal antibodies, production of viral vaccines and amniocentesis studies. Personnel are required to optimise equipment setup, media and growth techniques. They are required to detect and investigate contamination and take preventative and/or corrective actions under supervision. |
Application of the Unit
Application of the unit |
This unit of competency is applicable to laboratory technicians and technical officers working in laboratories in the biomedical, environmental, biotechnology and education industry sectors. Industry representatives have provided case studies to illustrate the practical application of this unit of competency and to show its relevance in a workplace setting. These can be found at the end of this unit of competency under the section 'This competency in practice'. |
Licensing/Regulatory Information
Not applicable.
Pre-Requisites
Prerequisite units |
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MSL974006A |
Perform biological procedures |
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MSL973007A |
Perform microscopic examination |
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MSL973004A |
Perform aseptic techniques |
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Employability Skills Information
Employability skills |
This unit contains employability skills. |
Elements and Performance Criteria Pre-Content
Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency. |
Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide. |
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT |
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1. Interpret and schedule production requirements |
1.1. Review client request and confirm quantity and nature of cells, tissue or products 1.2. Select, appropriate media, materials, equipment and methods 1.3. Plan parallel work sequences to optimise production 1.4. Maintain a chain of custody, traceable to the worker, for all cells and tissues |
2. Work safely according to the legal and regulatory framework |
2.1. Ensure work practices and personal actions conform to regulations, codes, guidelines and enterprise quality assurance procedures 2.2. Identify hazards and enterprise control measures associated with the sample, preparation methods, reagents and equipment 2.3. Select, fit and use personal protective clothing and safety equipment 2.4. Address hazards and incidents as they arise 2.5. Ensure the safe disposal of biohazardous materials and other laboratory wastes |
3. Assemble and maintain tissue culture equipment |
3.1. Assemble, sterilise or decontaminate equipment according to enterprise procedures 3.2. Perform pre-use and safety checks in accordance with relevant enterprise and operating procedures 3.3. Identify faulty or unsafe components and equipment and report to appropriate personnel 3.4. Decontaminate area and equipment after use |
4. Prepare and test cell and tissue culture media |
4.1. Confirm media specifications and processes/methods 4.2. Prepare culture media to suit client request 4.3. Sterilise culture media and check for sterility 4.4. Perform quality control checks to ensure that culture media is fit for purpose 4.5. Store culture media in accordance with specifications |
5. Obtain, monitor and maintain tissue and cell lines |
5.1. Retrieve/obtain the cell lines or tissue sample from fresh or preserved sources and prepare a culture 5.2. Select specified culture media and add any necessary growth agents or nutrients 5.3. Incubate cells/tissue in specified conditions 5.4. Inoculate the media with the specified amount of sample 5.5. Monitor growth of tissue and cell lines and products 5.6. Detect contamination and troubleshoot materials, equipment and techniques 5.7. Passage samples by subculturing to preserve or grow the line 5.8. Harvest cells or cell products to optimise yields |
6. Preserve cells and tissues |
6.1. Select the appropriate preservation method 6.2. Preserve the cell lines or tissue in accordance with the method 6.3. Check preserved cell lines regularly to ensure viability is maintained |
7. Maintain records |
7.1. Maintain records of batches of media and test data 7.2. Maintain records of active and stored tissue and cell lines 7.3. Ensure records are retrievable, legible and accurate 7.4. Ensure records conform to the information management, records, quality system and legal requirements |
Required Skills and Knowledge
REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE |
This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit. |
Required skills |
Required skills include:
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Required knowledge |
Required knowledge includes:
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Evidence Guide
EVIDENCE GUIDE |
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The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package. |
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Overview of assessment |
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Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit |
Assessors should ensure that candidates can:
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Context of and specific resources for assessment |
This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or simulated workplace environment. This unit of competency may be assessed with:
Resources may include:
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Method of assessment |
The following assessment methods are suggested:
In all cases, practical assessment should be supported by questions to assess underpinning knowledge and those aspects of competency which are difficult to assess directly. Where applicable, reasonable adjustment must be made to work environments and training situations to accommodate ethnicity, age, gender, demographics and disability. Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required. The language, literacy and numeracy demands of assessment should not be greater than those required to undertake the unit of competency in a work like environment. |
This competency in practice |
Industry representatives have provided the case studies below to illustrate the practical application of this unit of competency and to show its relevance in a workplace setting. Biotechnology A laboratory technical officer works at a research institute that genetically modifies myocardial cell lines to express Angiotensin II receptors and modify their action. Their role in the team is to grow the cells. This involves selecting the appropriate media, growth conditions and equipment and carefully monitoring cell growth. Each day, they visually check the cells and, when necessary, modify pH, temperature, buffering, osmolarity and substrates to enhance growth. The technical officer keeps accurate and legible records of cells, cell lines, tissues, observations and details of all modifications so that the team has a complete, reliable record of all work done. Biomedical A laboratory technical officer works at a metropolitan pathology laboratory. Their role is to prepare and use cell cultures for the initial isolation of viruses, such as the herpes simplex (HSV I and II). They routinely subculture human embryonic lung (HEL) cells using appropriate media, flasks and aseptic techniques in a Class II biohazard cabinet. They inoculate each flask with 0.1mL of patient swab washings and incubate them at 37°C for seven days. They also use appropriate positive and negative controls as required by the laboratory's quality assurance procedures. Each day, the technical officer examines the cell monolayer for distinctive changes (cytopathic effect). When the effect is detected, they seek confirmation of the changes from a senior technician. The flask is then sent for immunofluorescent testing to identify the virus isolate. |
Range Statement
RANGE STATEMENT |
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The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included. |
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Codes of practice |
Where reference is made to industry codes of practice, and/or Australian/international standards, it is expected the latest version will be used |
Standards , codes , procedures and /or enterprise requirements |
Standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements may include:
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Hazards |
Hazards may include:
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Hazard control measures |
Hazard control measures may include:
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Tissue culture equipment and facilities |
Tissue culture equipment and facilities may include:
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Selection criteria for media , materials and equipment |
Selection criteria for media, materials and equipment may include:
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Pre-use checks |
Pre-use checks include:
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Cells and tissues |
Cells and tissues may include:
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Preparing a primary culture |
Preparing a primary culture may include:
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Monitoring growth of tissue and cell lines |
Monitoring growth of tissue and cell lines may include:
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Preservation of cell lines |
Preservation of cell lines may include:
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Records |
Records may involve:
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Occupational health and safety (OHS ) and environmental management requirements |
OHS and environmental management requirements:
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Unit Sector(s)
Unit sector |
Testing |
Competency field
Competency field |
Co-requisite units
Co-requisite units |
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