Software to improve transfer and reproducibility of cell culture methods.

Cell culture is a vital component of laboratories throughout the scientific community, yet the absence of standardized protocols and documentation practice challenges laboratory efficiency and scientific reproducibility. We examined the effectiveness of a cloud-based software application, CultureTrax® as a tool for standardizing and transferring a complex cell culture protocol. The software workflow and template were used to electronically format a cardiomyocyte differentiation protocol and share a digitally executable copy with a different lab user. While the protocol was unfamiliar to the recipient, they executed the experiment by solely using CultureTrax and successfully derived cardiomyocytes from human induced pluripotent stem cells. This software tool significantly reduced the time and resources required to effectively transfer and implement a novel protocol.