ABSTRACT
A plant tissue culture laboratory has several functional areas, whether it is designed for teaching or research, and no matter how large or elaborate it is. A laboratory has some elements that are similar to a well-run kitchen and other elements that more closely resemble an operating room. There are areas devoted to the preliminary handling of plant tissue destined for culture, media preparation, and sterilization of media and tools; a sterile transfer hood or “clean room” for aseptic manipulations; a culture growth room; and an area devoted to washing and cleaning glassware and tools (see Chapter 27). This chapter will serve as an introduction to what goes into setting up a tissue culture laboratory. It will list what supplies and equipment are necessary, and cover some basics concerning making stock solutions, calculating molar concentrations, making tissue culture media, preparing a transfer (sterile) hood, and culturing various cells, tissues, and organs.
