This is the 7th edition of a textbook first published in 1983. It aims to provide basic instruction in the basic procedures of cell culture for newcomers to the field, including aseptic technique, safety and regulatory issues, equipment and materials, media preparation and sterilization, primary culture, propagated cell lines, characterization and authentication, contamination, cryopreservation, and quantitation. There are also a number of specialized protocols some of which have general interest, e.g. cell cloning, 3D culture, scale-up, STR profiling, and some with a with more limited readership, e.g. culture of some specialized cells. Some specialized protocols will be retained in the printed copy but others will be presented in electronic form only, depending on the anticipated readership.
A number of minireviews, some by the author external review and some by invited authors will be added to give an overview of the applications of cell culture.
New approaches and procedures have become available and new issues have arisen which require sections of the book to be updated. The increasing diversity of the applications of cell culture also need a revision of how
certain topics are presented. The proliferation of specialized techniques requires that some of these now be presented online to avoid a further increase in size of the book. In addition the introduction of new topics requires that some of these be presented in mini-review form.
Three reviewing editors have been appointed to advise on recent developments and trends and this will help to reshape the book in line with cutrrent demand.
Some new features:
There will be a new chapter on cell line authentication with a review of the major issues and appropriate protocols including DNA profiling (existing) and barcoding (new).
Some specialized protocols, e.g. much of chapters 22, 23, and 27, will be removed and made available online (free to those who have purchased the print copy).
This edition will focus more on more generally used techiniques and make other less used techniques available online. New mini-reviews will give insight into newer applications. More emphasis will be given to authentication and problems of misidentification. Illustrations will be updated as required.
