Application
Cell Culture
The Challenges of Cell Culture
Cell culture-based research is fundamental in life sciences, enabling advancements in regenerative medicine, drug discovery, and therapeutic development. Maintaining adherent mammalian cell cultures requires precise temperature control, CO₂ levels, and nutrient-rich media.
Ongoing challenges include contamination, which can affect up to 30% of workflows, and variability caused by manual, labor-intensive processes such as media changes and cell passaging. Innovative automation strategies are essential to enhance consistency, reduce contamination, and optimize efficiency.
Addressing the Needs of Automated Cell Culture
The demand for scalable cell culture processes for accurate handling of immortalized cell lines (e.g., HEK293, HeLa, CHO, HepG2), as well as Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs), has driven innovation in automated systems. Automation addresses the challenges by improving standardization, reproducibility, and scalability while minimizing training requirements and reducing variability.
Advances such as automated liquid handling with real-time imaging, precise media exchange, and environmental monitoring optimize workflows, especially for high-throughput and standardized applications. Regulatory updates, including the FDA Modernization Act 2.0, highlight automation's role in advancing reproducible in vitro models and reducing reliance on animal testing.
How Hamilton Supports Your Cell Culture Workflows
Hamilton provides advanced solutions for cell culture, optimizing workflows for mammalian cells. With a range of modular components, customizable solutions, and the Cell Care STAR assay-ready workstation, Hamilton enables researchers to tailor workflows to their specific needs.
Adherent cell cultures demand gentle handling to prevent cell layer disruption and shear stress during processes like media changes and passaging. Hamilton’s automated systems ensure precise liquid dispensing and controlled media exchange to protect cell integrity while minimizing variability and contamination.
Automation standardizes high-throughput workflows, reducing manual variability and ensuring reproducible results under increasing demands. Supported by intuitive software with features like resource forecasting and customizable protocols, Hamilton enhances workflow efficiency and reproducibility, even for complex protocols.
For laboratories conducting manual workflows, Hamilton’s portfolio also includes fixed and adjustable volume manual pipettes, enabling accurate and efficient liquid handling.
Explore our Cell Culture Solutions and Applications in Detail
Choose an outcome below to see personalized product recommendations.
The Hamilton Microlab Prep is an affordable liquid handler perfect for automating workflows. This entry-level liquid handler supports automated PCR setup and serial dilution.
The Hamilton Microlab STAR is a reliable and versatile automated liquid handling platform. With advanced features like multi-probe heads, pipetting technologies, and VENUS software, this premier liquid handling system fits your laboratory needs. Revolutionize your workflows with the STAR today!
Hamilton STAR V, a cutting-edge liquid handling robot, unites Microlab STAR flexibility with Microlab VANTAGE high-performance capabilities to boost efficiency. The Microlab STAR V offers speed, precision, and technology for automated liquid handling. Upgrade your lab—explore the Microlab STAR V!
Hamilton VANTAGE 2.0 is a cutting-edge liquid handling system with automated precision. Optimize workflows with the VANTAGE robot, all while boosting performance, safeguarding samples, and maximizing walk-away time. Discover the Hamilton VANTAGE liquid handler for your current & future needs.
Lab Syringes
Gastight Syringes
The solution for dispensing both gases and heterogeneous liquids. Hamilton Gastight syringes are equipped with a precision-machined PTFE plunger tip to create a leak-free seal.
Lab Syringes
Microliter Syringes
Hamilton Microliter syringes are ideal for dispensing homogeneous liquid samples not prone to glass bonding or precipitation. With a hand-fitted stainless steel plunger for frictionless movement and minimal wear, these syringes are designed to last.
Gastight Syringes
1700 Series Gastight Syringes
The 1700 series syringes are the gas tight version of the original 700 series syringes. This series of gas tight syringes is ideal for dispensing volumes from 1 μL up to 500 μL. A variety of different terminations and needle options are available in this series.
Common Kits and Available Hamilton Methods
Good to Know About Cell Culture Workflows
This section provides a selection of additional resources related to the application described on this page. It includes helpful articles, videos, and blogs that offer deeper insights into the topic.
Useful Links
External resources not written by Hamilton but valuable for understanding the topic, such as industry guidelines, explanatory videos, or relevant tools.
| Adherent culture vs suspension culture | Watch Video |
| Laboratory Automation Facility - Cell & Organoid System ETH | Visit Website |
Scientific Articles
Peer-reviewed journal publications that feature Hamilton products, demonstrating their use in real-world research and application
| Elanzew, A., Nießing, B., Langendoerfer, D., Rippel, O., Piotrowski, T., Schenk, F., Kulik, M., Peitz, M., Breitkreuz, Y., Jung, S., Wanek, P., Stappert, L., Schmitt, R. H., Haupt, S., Zenke, M., König, N., & Brüstle, O. (2020). The StemCellFactory: A modular system integration for automated generation and expansion of human induced pluripotent stem cells. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 8, Article 580352. | Read Article |
| Gregor, B. W., Coston, M. E., Adams, E. M., Arakaki, J., Borensztejn, A., Do, T. P., Fuqua, M. A., Haupt, A., Hendershott, M. C., Leung, W., Mueller, I. A., Nath, A., Nelson, A. M., Rafelski, S. M., Sanchez, E. E., Swain-Bowden, M. J., Tang, W. J., Thirstrup, D. J., Wiegraebe, W., ... Gaudreault, N. (2024). Automated human induced pluripotent stem cell culture and sample preparation for 3D live-cell microscopy. Nature Protocols, 19, 565–594. | Read Article |
Hamilton Products in Action
A collection of videos showcasing Hamilton products in use, providing practical insights into their functionality and benefits.
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Solutions for the Top 3 Challenges for Cell Culture Workflows
Minimizing Variability and Contamination Risks
Challenge: Manual workflows lead to variability due to human error and increased contamination risk, particularly during processes such as media changes and cell passaging.
Solution: Hamilton’s automation solutions address these challenges through the Cell Care STAR assay-ready workstation or custom-configured systems equipped with features like the Tilt Module, which enables gentle handling of adherent cell cultures to minimize mechanical disturbance and ensure consistent liquid handling. Integrated software tools, including Cell Control and DeckWatch, streamline process scheduling and provide real-time on-deck workflow monitoring. By reducing manual intervention, Hamilton’s technologies ensure reproducibility and enhance workflow efficiency.
Meeting High-Throughput Demands
Challenge: Scaling cell culture processes for applications such as drug discovery and regenerative medicine demands efficient, high-throughput systems that handle large sample volumes without compromising quality.
Solution: The use of Hamilton automated liquid handlers enables parallel processing of multiple plates and batches. Throughput is further optimized with 96- and 384 multi-probe heads. Moreover, the integration with Hamilton’s Rotary Plate Hotel (R10) enables seamless high-throughput processing, accommodating up to 130 plates and providing rapid imaging of several SBS-format well plates. These advanced tools eliminate bottlenecks, optimize workflows, and support the rapid scaling of experimental processes.
Ensuring Consistent Environmental Conditions
Challenge: Mammalian cell cultures are highly sensitive to environmental fluctuations in temperature, CO₂ levels, and humidity, which can compromise cell viability and lead to inconsistent results. Additionally, maintaining sterility and ensuring operator and environmental safety during cell handling processes is critical.
Solution: Hamilton liquid handlers can be integrated with incubator systems, delivering a stable growth environment with precise temperature control, CO₂ regulation, and up to 98% relative humidity. Moreover, the fully automated system can be placed within a Class II Biosafety Cabinet to provide a sterile workspace, protecting cell cultures from contamination while safeguarding the operator and the environment.
How are Cells Cultured In Vitro?
Overview of Cell Culture Maintenance
Successful cell culture maintenance depends on accurately replicating the cell's native environment. Adherent cells require surfaces such as treated plastic dishes for attachment and proliferation, while careful monitoring of cell density is essential to prevent overcrowding and ensure viability.
Core Practices for Healthy Cultures
- Media Changes: Regular replacement of nutrient-rich media sustains cell growth by providing essential nutrients and removing accumulated waste products. Fast-proliferating cells particularly benefit from frequent media exchanges.
- Cell Passaging: Routine splitting of cells into new containers prevents overgrowth, maintaining optimal density and ensuring long-term viability for experimental use.
- Culture Expansion: Scaling up cell cultures requires careful adjustments to maintain environmental conditions during the transition to larger volumes, ensuring consistent growth and functionality for research and industrial applications.
Specialized Protocols for Unique Cell Types
Tailored maintenance strategies are crucial for specialized cells. For example, iPSCs require specific growth factors to preserve pluripotency, with automation enhancing consistency and scalability for advanced applications in regenerative medicine. In contrast, immortalized cell lines (e.g., HEK293, HeLa, CHO, HepG2) often require less specialized protocols and can thrive under simpler conditions, making them more adaptable for routine experiments and high-throughput applications.
Real-Time Health Monitoring
Advanced imaging systems with integrated confluency analysis deliver precise, real-time insights into how cells grow. This enables timely interventions, improving consistency and reproducibility across experiments.
Cell Culture Case Studies and Application Notes
Other Cell Culture Resources
Browse app notes, user guides, specification documents, and more in our Knowledge Center.
Browse app notes, user guides, specification documents, and more in our Knowledge Center.
Browse app notes, user guides, specification documents, and more in our Knowledge Center.
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