cell tender helper Interview Questions and Answers

1. What is your experience with cell culture techniques?

   • Answer: I have [Number] years of experience in cell culture, including [Specific techniques, e.g., passaging cells, media preparation, cryopreservation, sterile technique]. I am proficient in working with [Cell types, e.g., mammalian cells, bacterial cells] and have experience with various cell culture equipment, including incubators, microscopes, and centrifuges.

2. Describe your understanding of aseptic technique.

   • Answer: Aseptic technique is crucial for preventing contamination in cell culture. It involves practices like sterilizing equipment, working in a laminar flow hood, using sterile reagents, and properly disposing of waste to maintain a contamination-free environment for cell growth.

3. How would you handle a cell culture contamination?

   • Answer: I would immediately isolate the contaminated culture to prevent spread. I would then identify the type of contamination (bacterial, fungal, mycoplasma) through microscopic examination or other testing methods. Depending on the contamination type and severity, I would discard the contaminated culture and thoroughly decontaminate the work area and equipment following established protocols. I would also review my aseptic techniques to identify potential sources of contamination.

4. Explain the importance of maintaining proper cell culture conditions.

   • Answer: Maintaining proper cell culture conditions—temperature, humidity, CO2 levels—is critical for cell health and viability. Deviations from optimal conditions can lead to stress, altered cell behavior, and ultimately, cell death. Consistent monitoring and control of these parameters are crucial for obtaining reliable experimental results.

5. What are some common cell culture media components and their functions?

   • Answer: Common components include basal media (e.g., DMEM, RPMI), serum (e.g., fetal bovine serum), antibiotics (e.g., penicillin/streptomycin), and growth factors. Basal media provides essential nutrients; serum supplies growth factors and hormones; antibiotics prevent bacterial contamination; and growth factors stimulate cell proliferation and differentiation.

6. How do you perform cell passaging?

   • Answer: Cell passaging involves transferring cells from a confluent culture to a new vessel to allow for continued growth. This involves detaching cells using trypsin or other enzymes, resuspending them in fresh media, and seeding them into new culture flasks or plates at an appropriate density.

7. How do you prepare and sterilize cell culture media?

   • Answer: Media preparation involves carefully measuring and combining components according to the specific cell type's requirements. Sterilization is typically achieved using filtration through a 0.22 μm filter to remove bacteria and other contaminants, avoiding heat sterilization which can damage the media components.

8. What is cryopreservation, and why is it important?

   • Answer: Cryopreservation is the process of freezing cells at very low temperatures (-80°C or lower) using a cryoprotective agent like DMSO to prevent ice crystal formation and cell damage. This is crucial for long-term storage of cell lines, preventing the need to constantly culture cells and ensuring a consistent cell source for experiments.

9. Describe your experience with different types of cell culture vessels.

   • Answer: I have experience with various cell culture vessels, including T-flasks, petri dishes, multi-well plates, and roller bottles. I understand the appropriate use of each type based on cell type, experimental needs, and scale of the culture.

10. How do you maintain accurate records in a cell culture laboratory?

    • Answer: Accurate record-keeping is crucial. I use a detailed laboratory notebook to record all procedures, including cell type, passage number, media used, date, and observations. Electronic record-keeping systems can also be used to track cell lines, experimental data, and inventory.

11. What is your experience with microscopy?

    • Answer: I have experience using [Type of microscopes, e.g., inverted microscope, phase contrast microscope] to visualize and assess cell morphology, confluence, and contamination.

12. How do you troubleshoot common cell culture problems?

    • Answer: I systematically troubleshoot by first identifying the problem (e.g., poor cell growth, contamination, detachment). I then check the media, incubator conditions, and aseptic techniques. If the problem persists, I consult relevant literature and experienced colleagues.

13. How familiar are you with safety procedures in a cell culture lab?

    • Answer: I am familiar with all relevant safety procedures, including proper handling of biological materials, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), waste disposal, and emergency procedures.

14. What are your strengths and weaknesses?

    • Answer: My strengths include meticulous attention to detail, proficiency in aseptic techniques, and problem-solving skills. A weakness I am working on is [Weakness, e.g., time management under pressure], which I am addressing by [How you address the weakness].

15. Why are you interested in this position?

    • Answer: I am interested in this position because [Reasons, e.g., it aligns with my career goals, offers opportunities for growth, and allows me to contribute to important research].

16. What are your salary expectations?

    • Answer: Based on my experience and research of similar roles, my salary expectation is in the range of [Salary range].

17. What are your long-term career goals?

    • Answer: My long-term career goal is to [Long-term goal, e.g., become a skilled cell culture specialist and contribute to advancements in biomedical research].

18. Do you have any questions for me?

    • Answer: Yes, I would like to know more about [Specific questions related to the role, team, or company].

19. Describe a time you had to deal with a challenging situation in the lab.

    • Answer: [Describe a specific challenging situation, highlighting the problem, your actions, and the outcome. Focus on problem-solving skills and positive attitude].

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