Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

MSL974011 Mapping and Delivery Guide
Prepare tissue and cell cultures

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency MSL974011 - Prepare tissue and cell cultures
Description
Employability Skills
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit of competency covers the ability to prepare primary tissue cultures for applications, such as maintenance of animal cell lines and propagation of plants by tissue culture, and basic subculture procedures. Personnel are required to manipulate equipment and materials and samples to prevent contamination at all preparation stages. They will have ready access to workplace procedures and will work under direct supervision.This unit of competency is applicable to technical assistants working in laboratories in the biomedical, environmental, biotechnology and education industry sectors.While no specific licensing or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication, laboratory operations are governed by relevant legislation, regulations and/or external accreditation requirements. Local requirements should be checked.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.

Judgment of competence must be based on holistic assessment of the evidence. Assessment methods must confirm consistency of performance over time, rather than a single assessment event.

This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a simulated workplace environment. A simulated workplace environment must reflect realistic operational workplace conditions that cover all aspects of workplace performance, including the environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.

Foundation skills are integral to competent performance of the unit and should not be assessed separately.

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Knowledge evidence may be collected concurrently with performance evidence or through an independent process such as workbooks, written assessments or interviews (provided a record is kept in each case).

This unit of competency may be assessed with:

MSL933001 Maintain the laboratory/field workplace fit for purpose

MSL973003 Prepare culture media

MSL973007 Perform microscopic examination

Holistic assessment methods include:

examination of tissue and cell cultures prepared by the candidate

review of work records and results obtained by candidate

feedback from supervisors and peers on adherence to workplace/technical procedures

observation of the candidate preparing a range of tissue and cell cultures

oral and/or written questioning covering workplace procedures and technical aspects of preparing tissue and cell cultures,

Access is required to instruments, equipment, materials, workplace documentation, procedures and specifications associated with this unit including, but not limited to:

a laboratory equipped with appropriate equipment, samples, cell lines and reagents

tissue culture equipment and facilities, including:

growth cabinets

culture vessels, growth chambers, sterile containers, culture plates, flasks and bottles

autoclaves

positive filtration apparatus

auto pipettes and pipette pumps

cell counting chambers and a haemocytometer

incubators, including specialised atmosphere carbon dioxide

binocular light inverted microscopes

centrifuges

workplace procedures and standard methods.

Assessors must satisfy the assessor competency requirements that are in place at the time of the assessment as set by the VET regulator.

The assessor must demonstrate both technical competence and currency.

Technical competence can be demonstrated through:

relevant VET or other qualification/Statement of Attainment AND/OR

relevant workplace experience.

Currency can be demonstrated through:

performing the competency being assessed as part of current employment OR

having consulted with a laboratory about performing the competency being assessed within the last twelve months.
Prerequisites/co-requisites
Competency Field Testing
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities 		Slides
PPT 		Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Work safely according to the legal and regulatory framework
  • Ensure work practices and personal actions conform to regulations, codes, guidelines and workplace quality assurance procedures
  • Identify hazards and workplace controls associated with the sample, preparation methods, reagents and equipment
  • Select, fit and use personal protective equipment (PPE)
  • Address hazards and incidents as they arise
  • Maintain a chain of custody, traceable to the worker, for all cells and tissues
       
Element: Prepare and test cell and tissue culture media
  • Select and confirm media specifications and processes/methods
  • Prepare culture media to suit the application
  • Sterilise culture media and check for sterility
  • Perform quality control checks to ensure that culture media is fit for purpose
  • Store culture media in accordance with specifications
       
Element: Prepare tissue or cell cultures
  • Select tissue/cell sample to optimise growth and prepare it for culture
  • Add specified growth agents and/or nutrients
  • Inoculate culture medium using aseptic techniques
       
Element: Monitor tissue or cell culture
  • Incubate culture in specified conditions
  • Monitor growth of culture and record appearance and characteristics
  • Report presence or absence of contamination
  • Subculture the culture to continue the cell line
  • Dispose of biohazardous and other laboratory waste safely
       
Element: Maintain records
  • Maintain records of batches of media and test data
  • Ensure records of tissue cultures are retrievable, legible and accurate
  • Ensure records conform to information management, records, quality system and legal requirements
       


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Work safely according to the legal and regulatory framework

1.1

Ensure work practices and personal actions conform to regulations, codes, guidelines and workplace quality assurance procedures

1.2

Identify hazards and workplace controls associated with the sample, preparation methods, reagents and equipment

1.3

Select, fit and use personal protective equipment (PPE)

1.4

Address hazards and incidents as they arise

1.5

Maintain a chain of custody, traceable to the worker, for all cells and tissues

2

Prepare and test cell and tissue culture media

2.1

Select and confirm media specifications and processes/methods

2.2

Prepare culture media to suit the application

2.3

Sterilise culture media and check for sterility

2.4

Perform quality control checks to ensure that culture media is fit for purpose

2.5

Store culture media in accordance with specifications

3

Prepare tissue or cell cultures

3.1

Select tissue/cell sample to optimise growth and prepare it for culture

3.2

Add specified growth agents and/or nutrients

3.3

Inoculate culture medium using aseptic techniques

4

Monitor tissue or cell culture

4.1

Incubate culture in specified conditions

4.2

Monitor growth of culture and record appearance and characteristics

4.3

Report presence or absence of contamination

4.4

Subculture the culture to continue the cell line

4.5

Dispose of biohazardous and other laboratory waste safely

5

Maintain records

5.1

Maintain records of batches of media and test data

5.2

Ensure records of tissue cultures are retrievable, legible and accurate

5.3

Ensure records conform to information management, records, quality system and legal requirements

Evidence of competence in this unit must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria, and include demonstration of:

safely preparing at least three (3) different primary tissue cultures that are free of contamination using tissue culture and basic subculture procedures

manipulating equipment and materials and samples to prevent contamination at all preparation stages

preparing, diluting and sterilising reagents and culture media that are fit for purpose

performing routine maintenance and checks on raw materials and consumables, including use-by-date, possible contamination and storage conditions

growing cell lines and tissue to specifications without contaminating the original sample and the environment

monitoring cell growth, checking growth rates and recognising problems, such as contamination of media by bacteria (e.g. Mycoplasma), fungi and other plant or animal tissue

identifying expected cell types and recognising normal and abnormal cells using an inverted microscope

accurately counting total and viable cells

maintaining chain of custody and traceability to the worker, of all cell lines, tissues, logs of work completed and procedures/methods used

working safely and satisfying all legal and regulatory requirements, including the use and care of biohazard cabinets.

Must provide evidence that demonstrates knowledge of:

basic classes and classification of culturable material, such as organisms, plants, animals, bacteria, viruses, tissues, cells and prions

structure and function of cells and organelles

cell structure, physiology and processes, including simple and facilitated diffusion, plasmolysis, osmosis, tonicity, active transport, energy production, mitosis, motility, phagocytosis and pinocystosis

concepts and principles of cell growth, including the need for nutrients, the role of growth regulators and the removal of wastes

types and sources of contamination

importance of strict aseptic techniques and cleaning procedures

quality control checks and quality assurance procedures

workplace and/or legal traceability requirements

hazards and risks in biological laboratories and relevant work health and safety (WHS) and environment requirements.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Work safely according to the legal and regulatory framework

1.1

Ensure work practices and personal actions conform to regulations, codes, guidelines and workplace quality assurance procedures

1.2

Identify hazards and workplace controls associated with the sample, preparation methods, reagents and equipment

1.3

Select, fit and use personal protective equipment (PPE)

1.4

Address hazards and incidents as they arise

1.5

Maintain a chain of custody, traceable to the worker, for all cells and tissues

2

Prepare and test cell and tissue culture media

2.1

Select and confirm media specifications and processes/methods

2.2

Prepare culture media to suit the application

2.3

Sterilise culture media and check for sterility

2.4

Perform quality control checks to ensure that culture media is fit for purpose

2.5

Store culture media in accordance with specifications

3

Prepare tissue or cell cultures

3.1

Select tissue/cell sample to optimise growth and prepare it for culture

3.2

Add specified growth agents and/or nutrients

3.3

Inoculate culture medium using aseptic techniques

4

Monitor tissue or cell culture

4.1

Incubate culture in specified conditions

4.2

Monitor growth of culture and record appearance and characteristics

4.3

Report presence or absence of contamination

4.4

Subculture the culture to continue the cell line

4.5

Dispose of biohazardous and other laboratory waste safely

5

Maintain records

5.1

Maintain records of batches of media and test data

5.2

Ensure records of tissue cultures are retrievable, legible and accurate

5.3

Ensure records conform to information management, records, quality system and legal requirements

This field allows for different work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included.

Standards, codes, procedures and/or workplace requirements

Standards, codes, procedures and/or workplace requirements include the latest version of one or more of:

Australian and international standards covering the requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories, laboratory safety, quality management and environmental management

Australian standards covering the requirements for cleaning, disinfecting and sterilising reusable medical and surgical instruments and equipment, and maintenance of associated environments in health care facilities

national work health and safety (WHS) standards and codes of practice, national environmental protection measures, and national measurement regulations and guidelines

specific codes, guidelines and procedures, such as National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) accreditation requirements, principles of good laboratory practice (GLP), Australia New Zealand Food Standards (ANZFS) Code, Australian code of good manufacturing practice for medicinal products (GMP), Australian Dangerous Goods Code, gene technology regulations, and Guide to physical containment levels and facility types

workplace documents, such as standard operating procedures (SOPs); quality and equipment manuals; calibration and maintenance schedules; material safety data sheets (MSDS) and safety procedures; material, client and product specifications; production and laboratory schedules; workplace recording and reporting procedures; and waste minimisation and safe disposal procedures

workplace procedures and standard methods for preparing culture media, and operation and maintenance manuals for automated media preparation equipment

Applications of plant tissue/cell culture

Applications of plant tissue/cell culture include, but are not limited to, one or more of:

mass propagation of commercial species

production of disease-free plants by meristem tip culture

conservation of rare plants

haploid plant production by anther/pollen culture

'sports' produced by somaclonal variation

development of resistant plants by directed cell selection

protoplast fusion to produce novel plant hybrids

Applications of animal tissue/cell culture

Applications of animal tissue/cell culture include, but are not limited to, one or more of:

establishment and maintenance of animal cell lines, such as liver, epidermal and fibroblastic

maintenance of continuous cell lines

preparation of cell cultures for commercial sale

growth and enumeration of viruses

extraction of DNA

extraction of antigens for use in diagnostic tests

research of cell structure and function, cancer and tumour biology

immunofluorescent techniques

testing of media efficacy

production of monoclonal antibodies

production of genetically modified cell cultures

secondary metabolite production

Sterilisation and disposal of biohazardous wastes

Sterilisation and disposal of biohazardous wastes includes, but is not limited to, one or more of:

steam and high pressure air or steam

boiling, microwaving and autoclaving

filtration

gas, chemical and radiation

Plant tissues and cells

Plant tissues and cells include, but are not limited to, one or more of:

plant tissue, such as petioles, leaves, stems and petals

meristem tissue

special tissue, such as fern stolon, seed embryos and somatic embryoids

tissue for callus development to initiate cell suspension cultures

Animal tissues and cells

Animal tissues and cells include, but are not limited to, one or more of:

primary cells from animal tissue, such as heart, liver, kidney and epidermal

secondary cells, such as epithelial, endothelial and fibroblast

continuous cell lines, such as tumour lines, hybidomers and transformed lines (Epstein-Barr virus)

Preparing a primary culture

Preparing a primary culture includes, but is not limited to, one or more of:

thawing of cryopreserved cells and monitoring of cell recovery

enzymatic disaggregation from tissue

mechanical disaggregation from tissue

primary explant technique

pre-treatment

disinfestation of explants using hypochlorite and water

Suitable culture conditions

Suitable culture conditions include, but are not limited to, one or more of:

specified temperature and light intensity

appropriate atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide

shaking of cell suspensions or roller bottles

conditions for establishment, multiplication or planting out

special conditions for protoplast culture

Subculture

Subculture includes, but is not limited to, one or more of:

treatment of callus to multiply or regenerate shoots

treatment to encourage adventitious bud

treatment to encourage rooting

subculture of embryoids

cell suspensions

preparation of protoplasts

Safety procedures

Safety procedures include, but are not limited to, one or more of:

ensuring access to service shut-off points

recognising and observing hazard warnings and safety signs

labelling of samples, reagents, aliquoted samples and hazardous materials

handling and storage of hazardous materials and equipment in accordance with labelling, MSDS and manufacturer instructions

identifying and reporting operating problems or equipment malfunctions

cleaning and decontaminating equipment and work areas regularly

using PPE, such as gloves, safety glasses, coveralls and gowns

using containment facilities (PCII, PCIII and PCIV physical containment laboratories), containment equipment (biohazard containers, laminar flow cabinets, Class I, II and III biohazard cabinets) and containment procedures

following established manual handling procedures

reporting abnormal emissions, discharges and airborne contaminants, such as noise, light, solids, liquids, water/waste water, gases, smoke, vapour, fumes, odour and particulates, to appropriate personnel

WHS and environmental management requirements

WHS and environmental management requirements include:

· complying with WHS and environmental management requirements at all times, which may be imposed through state/territory or federal legislation. These requirements must not be compromised at any time

· applying standard precautions relating to the potentially hazardous nature of samples

· accessing and applying current industry understanding of infection control issued by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and State and Territory Departments of Health, where relevant

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Ensure work practices and personal actions conform to regulations, codes, guidelines and workplace quality assurance procedures 
Identify hazards and workplace controls associated with the sample, preparation methods, reagents and equipment 
Select, fit and use personal protective equipment (PPE) 
Address hazards and incidents as they arise 
Maintain a chain of custody, traceable to the worker, for all cells and tissues 
Select and confirm media specifications and processes/methods 
Prepare culture media to suit the application 
Sterilise culture media and check for sterility 
Perform quality control checks to ensure that culture media is fit for purpose 
Store culture media in accordance with specifications 
Select tissue/cell sample to optimise growth and prepare it for culture 
Add specified growth agents and/or nutrients 
Inoculate culture medium using aseptic techniques 
Incubate culture in specified conditions 
Monitor growth of culture and record appearance and characteristics 
Report presence or absence of contamination 
Subculture the culture to continue the cell line 
Dispose of biohazardous and other laboratory waste safely 
Maintain records of batches of media and test data 
Ensure records of tissue cultures are retrievable, legible and accurate 
Ensure records conform to information management, records, quality system and legal requirements 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

MSL974011 - Prepare tissue and cell cultures
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

MSL974011 - Prepare tissue and cell cultures

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: