Proposal for “Fundamental principles for microscopic observation of cultured cells”

Abstract

In recent years, along with the rapid development of technology related to cell culture, application fields in which cell culture contributes, such as drug discovery or regenerative medicine, are expanding. One of the important points in utilizing cultured cells is that cells maintain the state suitable for use in the following step for research or application. Therefore, to review the state of the cells to be used is critical step. Although the cell quality is evaluated by several methods, an inverted phase contrast microscope which is capable of non-invasively observing living cells is widely and practically used to review the cell state. An inverted phase contrast microscope is a useful tool for observing cells with ensuring the reliability and reproducibility of experiments using cultured cells, although it provides only morphological information and cell density. There are various points to be noted in the technique of observing living cells. Therefore, we thought that basic concepts in cell culture observation should be shared, and have proposed a draft of “Fundamental principles of microscopy for cultured cells”. This fundamental principle is composed of seven provisions concerning visual observation of cells prior to microscopic observation, microscopic observation at low magnification and high magnification, timing of observation, appropriate recording and preservation, and the like. We hope that the concept of this fundamental principle for microscopic observation of cultured cells will be shared and the reliability of research using cell culture technology would be improved.