This article is based on a poster originally authored by Mirta Jacobs, Dóra Reé, József Dobai, Dr. Alexander Loa, and Dr. Oliver Wehmeier1 and was presented at ELRIG Drug Discovery 2023.
1acCELLerate Gmbh
Introduction: acCELLerate is a well-known expert in cell banking, specializing in assay-ready instaCELLS® derived from client cell lines and assay-ready instaCELL® kits. Assay-ready cell banks can be stored and delivered on demand, which is one of the services acCELLerate offers.
As anticipated, acCELLerate has a large supply of cryopreserved cells requiring a high degree of care. Understanding the location of cell storage is also essential. The fact that there is not a widely utilized application for this fundamental requirement shows how hard it is to come by.
Many laboratories have switched to Excel or more complex database systems. However, many of these solutions are inadequate due to complex procedures, cluttered lists, and disorganized information.
Cellseeker, an inventory software designed specifically for cell biology, was created by acCELLerate to maintain an up-to-date, detailed database, avoid hindering productivity, and preserve all information in one location.
Here, the cloud-based cell inventory software Cellseeker 4.0—which is now accessible to the general public—is introduced.
Cell line collection and virtual storage – The core elements of Cellseeker
Cell lines are gathered and stored in a virtual representation, which is the foundation of Cellseeker.
Every field in the cell detail data sheet can be filtered, and the cell line collection is fully searchable. Every piece of information a user might possibly want about their cells, including PDF files, photos, growth or morphology, culture conditions, genetic alteration, and fundamental project information, can be found in the datasheet for each cell line (Figure 1).
Figure 1. The cell data sheet includes basic information about a cell line as well as the option to add details about cultivation and handling of the cells. Files and pictures can be attached to the data sheet.
For every cell line, there are several stocks that can be associated with data on quality control or passage.
The inventory is a digital copy of a laboratory’s cryostorage. Three levels can be used to describe it: the number of tanks per rack, the number of boxes per rack, and the placements inside each box. Users can search and filter the storage to get information on the cell lines and the stocks that go with them (Figure 2).
Figure 2. The Inventory view is a virtual representation of the cryo-storage units. It can be browsed for the location of vials. Those can be selected for check-out or empty spaces can be selected for check-out. Filtering for values of the cell lines and stocks is possible.
Users can virtually check-in or check-out one or more cell vials by first selecting the position of the cell vial of choice before adding them to the basket.
All check-in and check-out tasks are gathered in the basket, where they can all be updated or handled all at once. A PDF summarizing the movements in and out of the cryo-tank can be sent, together with precise instructions and optional comments, to the technician in charge of the cryo-storage.
Reports
Filtered transactions and cell lists are available for download as PDFs. For audits, for instance, a list of all GMO cell lines can be retrieved (Figure 3).
Figure 3. A GMO report lists all the cells that are labeled as GMO in a PDF. Reports can be filtered and downloaded for transactions and cell lines.
Preferences
Custom values for the dropdown detail fields can be specified in the cell line and stock data sheets. These values can be collectively modified in the preferences to maintain data consistency. (Figure 4).
Figure 4. Drop down values can be centrally managed for one account, to make input of cell line data faster and less error-prone.
Filters
Users can filter the cell list view and the inventory view by all cell value fields and stock values, like keywords in the description, Project number, or tissue, as well as freezing dates or cell bank type (Figure 5).
Figure 5. The inventory view can be filtered. The results are highlighted including an indicator for how many vials are available in each location for easier browsing.
User
Users can have numerous access levels inside a single account. This allows for limited editing of cell line information by a specific set of people. All cell transactions are logged for the user (Figure 6).
Figure 6. User can be invited into accounts and managed by the admins of the accounts. External user can only see cell lines they are permitted to see, and only the amount of vials available.
Conclusion
Cellseeker is a custom-designed tool for anyone who cryopreserves their cells, and for many cell biology labs, Cellseeker could prove to be a game-changer. To make sure these labs can utilize the platform's potential, free access to small and academic labs is provided.
Future plans for acCELLerate include minor tweaks like improved iPS cell data structure and more significant initiatives like the capacity to effortlessly publish cell lines from Cellseeker to a public cell line database. acCELLerate is actively growing to meet the needs of the cell banking community.
Cellseeker’s strength is that it was created by cell banking specialists who are quite specific about what they need from the software. As a result, anybody working in the same industry can easily comprehend and use it.