Viral Culture: A Practical Overview
March 05, 2026, at 12:00 PM ETRobust viral culture is essential for reproducible virology research, supporting applications from diagnostics and vaccine development to antiviral discovery. This webinar delivers a practical overview of best practices for culturing viruses, with a focus on strain sourcing, host cell selection, infection optimization, biosafety, and quality control. Through real‑world examples and troubleshooting guidance, attendees will gain actionable insights to improve viral yield, consistency, and experimental reliability across research settings.
What You Will Learn
- How to select viral strains and host cell lines
- Best practices for cell culture and biosafety
- How to optimize infection conditions and harvest timing
- Methods to monitor infection and measure viral yield
- Practical troubleshooting to improve reproducibility
Presenters:
Guy Pilkington, PhD
Lead Scientist, Virology R&D Product Development, ATCC
Guy is a scientific leader with over 25 years of experience in preclinical research, project management, and quality assurance across virology, molecular and cellular biology, and pharmaceutical development. He has led multiple research divisions at a contract research organization, consistently delivering on client timelines and exceeding revenue targets. His expertise spans assay development, biologics characterization, and translational research with notable contributions in Hepatitis B virus production and cytokine vector development.
Kate Hawley, M.Sc.
Lead Microbiologist, ATCC
Kate Hawley is a scientific leader with over 25 years of experience in virology, microbiology, and pharmaceutical manufacturing, supporting both research and regulated production environments. She has led and supported microbiology laboratories across industry and nonprofit settings, delivering high‑quality biological materials through ISO‑ and cGMP‑compliant processes while establishing best laboratory practices for difficult‑to‑grow pathogens. Her expertise spans virus propagation, cell culture, quality systems, and protocol development, with notable contributions to viral manufacturing, laboratory standardization, and reproducible virology workflows.
