The Bonn Criteria: Minimal Experimental Parameter Reporting for Clinostat and Random Positioning Machine Experiments with Cells and Tissues

Abstract

Published reports on studies in clinostats and random positioning machines frequently do not include adequate operational data on physical parameters of the culture device or cell culture conditions. This failure to report minimum physical and chemical data on how experiments are performed makes it impossible to determine specific hardware utilization or to calculate forces delivered. This makes experimental comparisons difficult and isolation of critical methodological differences between investigational results impossible. A minimum set of parameters to be reported in clinostat or random positioning machines is proposed to be known as the Bonn criteria. For random positioning machine experiments, the minimum experimental parameters to be reported should include angular velocity of rotation, highest angular acceleration, operating mode (random, centrifuge, or clinostat in rpm or freely programmable mode). For both clinostat and random positioning machines, experimental reporting should include the properties of the culture vessel, T. Hammond (B) · P. Allen Research and Development Service (558/151), culture media and carrier beads. These should also include dimensions and rotation speed of vessel, chemical consistency including density and viscosity of media, size, density, and porosity of beads, size, density, and porosity of cells, whether cells are motile or non-motile, density of beads with cells attached, as well as time of rotation, nature of controls, operating temperature, and gas content.

Effect of Unloading Condition on the Healing Process and Effectiveness of Platelet Rich Plasma as a Countermeasure: Study on In Vivo and In Vitro Wound Healing Models

“…To simulate µg, the instrument was set in real random mode (random intervals, time, and rotation); the maximal angular velocity of rotation was set at 60 • /s (1 rads/s). The samples contained in a T25 flask, filled with mineral water or medium (depending on experiments with leeches or cells), were fixed in the center of the inner frame reaching 10 −3 × g [59,60].…”

Simulated Microgravity: Critical Review on the Use of Random Positioning Machines for Mammalian Cell Culture

“…In accordance with good laboratory practice (GLP), any researcher who is using RPMs or clinostats should follow the “Bonn Criteria.” In this document it is stated that “Experimental reporting should include the properties of the culture vessel, culture media and carrier beads. These should also include dimensions and rotation speed of vessels, chemical consistency including density and viscosity of media, size, density, and porosity of beads, size, density, and porosity of cells, whether cells are motile or non-motile, density of beads with cells attached, as well as time of rotation, nature of controls, operating temperature, and gas content [ 20 ].” As described above, improper use of the RPM can introduce additional forces leading to unwanted mechanical stimulation of the sample cells. Interpreting results from such experiments could lead to wrong conclusions and could thus jeopardize a whole study.…”

Factors implicating the validity and interpretation of mechanobiology studies in simulated microgravity environments

“…The need for clearer reporting practices regarding the use of s-μg practices has previously been suggested. 6,122 This is necessary not just for compliance with the Bonn Criteria for Good Laboratory Practice, but also to facilitate more ready comparison between studies and avoid potential misinterpretation of methodology. Therefore, it would be helpful for a tabulated summary of experimental parameters and values to be explicitly reported in simulated microgravity studies, which at the minimum could contain information as in Table 2.…”