The cell culture platforms are divided into two sections. The first contains the cell culture labs L2 and L3, and a bacteriological lab L2. These platforms are designed to facilitate the installation and upkeep of cellular and bacteriological lines required for a wide range of scientific projects centered on cancer research, virology and microbiology. The second concerns the cell culture platforms L1 and L2 associated with a confocal microscope (Person in charge: Etienne Henry). The L1 lab is dedicated to the production of microfluidic experiments coupled to epifluorescent imaging on level 1 cellular or bacterial linees whereas the L2 lab is devoted to experiments in confocal fluorescent microscopy on level 2 organisms.

Internal (LBPA and IDA) or external (Gustave Roussy Institute; Pasteur Institute), the scientific partnerships in this platform involve the LBPA by joint publications and potential future benefits in setting up networks of project applications. These partnerships mostly concern antiviral pharmacology and the development and use of a set of viral tools (viral vectors) that permit fine-tuning of genes expression in cell lines or in elementary cultures. The platform also offers a cost cutting service on demand that provides access to new tools for fluorescent imaging. Within the L2 confocal and L3 labs, it is possible either for experiments to be carried out by trained staff or to be carried out by external teams under the guidance, and following training, by our trained staff.).. The bacteriological L2, cell culture L2 and interface room L1 labs are essentially for internal use for LBPA and IDA although access is possible for external users after agreement with and under the supervision of the personnel from LBPA and IdA in charge of these labs.

Beyond imaging techniques contained on optical benches fitted out epifluorescent microscopes, we have installed two microbiological security posts (PSM) and complementary equipment (CO2 sterilizer, low speed centrifuge, optical microscope and ultracentrifuge). These two PSMs are devoted to the preparation of samples for experiments on the optical benches. One is reserved for practical work on bacteria and the other for the preparation of eukaryotic cells and short term cultures (3 to 6 days) of new cellular lines for which possibility of mycoplasm infection is still relatively high. To work in this lab, users have to inform me of the nature of the biological organisms being manipulated in order that I may approve if the GMO (genetically modified organism) grading fits with the level 1 security grading of the room (L1). Moreover, they have to have undergone a training course dealing with the use of a PSM and the elimination of biological waste (one hour training). Finally they have to sign a document that commits them to respect the work regulations in force in an L1 environment and to register on the weekly booking board for the  PSM.