The Cell Services team have the biomedical equivalent of green fingers, nurturing billions of cells to keep each one uncontaminated and thriving.
They’ve filed away thousands of samples of cell types, storing them in vats of super-cold liquid nitrogen so they can be grown again one day.
At any one time, the Cell Services team hold 6,000 cell lines in the Crick’s deep freeze tanks, ready for scientists to use.
Cell Services technicians use liquid nitrogen to put samples of cells into a state of hibernation. This vessel slowly chills cells in resilient tubes called cryovials, so that they survive the process and can be brought back to life when they’re needed.
A Level equivalent including Physics, Biochemistry, Biology, Mathematics, and Laboratory Technology, France
Technical university degree in Biotechnologies, Montpellier, France
Internship, MIVEGEC – an infectious disease research institute, Montpellier, France
Technician Supervisor in animal anatomy and well-being, Institute of Molecular Genetics of Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
Research Technician, Structural and Molecular Biology Department, National Institute for Medical Research, Mill Hill, UK, and at UCL Institute of Structural Molecular Biology, London, UK
Laboratory Research Scientist, Cell Services, Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
Completed GCSEs including Double Science, Maths, Health and Social Care, London, UK
Completed A levels including Biology, Chemistry, Physics and BTEC Level 2/National Diploma in Applied Science at Hammersmith College, London, UK
Level 3 Apprenticeship including Cell Services rotation at the Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
Laboratory Research Apprentice, Cell Services, Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
Laboratory Research Officer, Cell Services
Here are the top three skills needed to work in Cell Services:
For more information on the different skills required for technical roles in science and beyond, have a look at the Technicians Make it Happen prospectus:
