Institute of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Colombo, successfully conducted the second training course in “Cell Culture Techniques” for the year 2023 from 07^th to 11^th August 2023 at the IBMBB premises. The training course was resourced by Prof. Kamani H Tennekoon, Prof. Sameera R Samarakoon, Prof. Prasanna Galhena, Dr. Umapriyatharshini Rajagopalan, Dr. Kanishka Senathilaka, Ms. Sivagini Kumarasamy, Mr. Nirmal Perera IBMBB, University of Colombo Sri Lanka and Dr. Hasi Hays, Ralph E. Martin Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA. The Director of the IBMBB, Prof Prasanna Galhena welcomed the participants on the first day of the training course.

The Participants comprised of young scientists, clinicians, medical officers, academics, science graduates, science undergraduates and an individual with GCE A/L qualifications. The training course covered practical components in basic cell culture techniques including safety precautions, media preparation, cell counting and viability determination, growth of adherent and suspension cells, maintenance of cells, freezing and thawing of human cancer cell lines, apoptosis detection using light and fluorescence microscopy and DNA fragmentation, cytotoxicity determination and exposure to anti-cancer drug screening. Isolation and maintenance of primary cells, DNA and RNA extraction from cultured cells and an overview of stem cells was also covered. The training course was a great opportunity for the participants to broaden their knowledge in the field of Cell Culture Techniques.