Training in culture and isolation methods
Custom-designed workshops of 1-3 days providing basic training in culturing algae and cyanobacteria are offered on demand throughout the year. The length of the workshop depends on your needs and previous experience. Typically the workshop will cover sterile technique, media preparation, culture procedures, isolation and purification techniques but this can be modified according to your specific requirements.
Introduction to culturing algae and cyanobacteria
The aim of this introductory course is to provide general training in culture techniques for freshwater/marine microalgae and cyanobacteria. Basic techniques for green algae, cyanobacteria, diatoms, cryptophytes and chrysophytes will be covered according to the needs of the participants. Possible topics include the following:
- Preparation of appropriate types of liquid and solid media for freshwater/marine algae and cyanobacteria including: nutrient stock solution preparation and storage, autoclaving, trouble-shooting problems with media
- Preparation and storage of agar plates and slants
- Cleaning glassware to culture specifications
- Sterile technique, including laminar flow hood maintenance
- Handling and maintaining axenic cultures; sterility testing
- Sub-culturing and maintaining stock cultures over long periods. Factors affecting culture health, such as light, temperature, pH, nutrients and aeration
- Trouble-shooting problems with growth of the cultures; possible solutions
- Assessment of cultures by microscopic analysis, including cell counts
- Techniques of isolation and preparation of clonal cultures from field samples using single cell washing
- Introduction to algal identification via microscopy
- Introduction to cryopreservation of algae and cyanobacteria
The course may be modified according to the specific requirements of the participant(s). For experienced participants, many of the topics could be covered in one day. For others a 2-day workshop is highly recommended. The workshop will be conducted at the CPCC facility and will be taught by the Technical Curator, Heather Roshon, although the former Curator of the CPCC, Judy Acreman may also be available for those topics requiring greater expertise (e.g., cryopreservation). The course will begin at approximately 9:00 AM with a lunch break around noon and end at approximately 5:00 PM. Accommodations and meals are not included; students may bring their own bagged lunches or purchase them from various vendors on campus. If interested in learning single-cell isolation, students are encouraged to bring their own field samples.
Costs
Please see the list of fees for pricing. An extra person from your institution or company can be included for an additional charge of 50%. Workshop fees are subject to 13% HST. A certificate of participation and a culturing handbook written by Judy Acreman will be supplied to each student.
Booking
Dates
for
the
workshop
can
be
arranged
by
contacting
the
CPCC
by
phone
or
email
at
least
1-2
months
in
advance
of
the
requested
date
for
the
training.
If
an
already
booked
workshop
is
cancelled
by
the
customer
within
two
weeks
prior
to
the
date
of
the
workshop,
a
$200
cancellation
fee
will
apply.
There
will
be
a
maximum
of
3
participants
in
the
course
in
order
to
provide
hands-on
training.
Preferred
days
of
the
week
for
workshops
are
Thursdays
and/or
Fridays.
Wednesdays
may
also
be
accommodated.