Working Cell Bank
A Working Cell Bank (WCB) is a stored collection of identical cells used in biotechnology and pharmaceutical manufacturing. Think of it like a secure savings account of cells that companies can withdraw from whenever they need to make medicines or biological products. These cells are carefully preserved and documented to ensure consistent quality in making medical products. When companies mention WCB experience in job descriptions, they're looking for people who know how to maintain, monitor, and work with these important cell collections following strict safety and quality rules.
Examples in Resumes
Established and maintained Working Cell Bank systems for vaccine production
Performed quality control testing of WCB and Master Cell Bank samples
Supervised team of technicians in Working Cell Bank management and documentation
Typical job title: "Cell Culture Scientists"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Cell Culture Scientists
Professional Organizations
Job Boards
Professional Networks
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you handle a contamination event in a Working Cell Bank?
Expected Answer: A senior candidate should explain the importance of having contamination response procedures, investigation processes, documentation requirements, and how to prevent future incidents while maintaining production schedules.
Q: What strategies would you implement to improve cell bank efficiency and quality?
Expected Answer: They should discuss quality control measures, process optimization, risk management, and how to balance regulatory requirements with production needs.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What documentation is required for Working Cell Bank maintenance?
Expected Answer: Should explain basic documentation needs like growth records, testing results, storage conditions, and understanding of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) requirements.
Q: Describe the process of thawing and expanding cells from a Working Cell Bank.
Expected Answer: Should be able to explain the basic steps of safely retrieving cells, proper thawing procedures, and how to start growing them for production use.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What is the difference between a Master Cell Bank and a Working Cell Bank?
Expected Answer: Should explain that the Master Cell Bank is the original source of cells, while the Working Cell Bank is made from the master bank for daily production use.
Q: What basic safety procedures do you follow when working with cell banks?
Expected Answer: Should describe basic lab safety, sterile technique, proper protective equipment use, and contamination prevention measures.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic cell culture techniques
- Laboratory safety procedures
- Record keeping
- Basic quality control testing
Mid (2-5 years)
- Cell bank maintenance procedures
- Quality control oversight
- Problem solving skills
- GMP compliance knowledge
Senior (5+ years)
- Process optimization
- Risk management
- Team leadership
- Regulatory compliance expertise
Red Flags to Watch For
- No hands-on cell culture experience
- Lack of attention to detail in documentation
- Poor understanding of sterile technique
- No knowledge of quality control procedures
- Unfamiliarity with GMP requirements
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