New Cell Culture Lab Setup Checklist: Equipment, Space, and Supplies

Starting a research lab is an exciting but daunting process. Decisions made now will set a course for your team's future research. While some aspects can be adjusted later, planning ahead and getting on the right course from the start can help prevent expensive and time-consuming detours.

Making a lab setup checklist can help. No matter what area of life science you focus on, you'll need to secure the right resources in three main areas: laboratory equipment, physical space, and supplies. Here are three key steps for your lab setup checklist:

To understand your laboratory space and layout needs, you'll first need to make a list of the equipment you'll need. Include both common lab tools and appliances such as freezers, centrifuges, pipets, and cell culture incubators, as well as more specialized instruments needed for your research.

Some expensive equipment might be available in an institutional core facility or shared incubator space, or you may be able to set up a sharing agreement with another lab. Outsourcing certain techniques may be a possibility. But if the equipment will have a central role in your lab's operations, it's more important to keep it onsite and fully under your control.

Consider sustainability when choosing equipment and planning your layout. Because laboratories tend to be heavy users of resources, selecting appliances that use less energy or water, or that take up less space can lead to considerable cost savings as well as lower environmental impacts in the long run.

Your lab space options will vary depending on your available capital and other resources. For startups, there are several options. You could obtain shared laboratory space in a startup incubator or co-working space, or you could sign a long-term lease in a commercial building. Local institutions and organizations will have more information. The California Life Sciences 2025 Startup Resource Guide, for example, lists incubator spaces serving the life sciences community in California, while the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center website does the same for Massachusetts.

If you're in academia, you will need to look at what your university or institution offers in the way of laboratory space for faculty. Consider the physical bench space and desk space your lab members will need, as well as equipment space and storage space.

When you find a space, assess the utility inputs, such as electric plugs, gas lines, water, and sinks, to make sure their placement works for your needs. Consider how your workflow will play out in the new space. Will there be enough counter space for your equipment? Do the traffic patterns make for a good flow, or will scientists bump into each other? Are desk spaces set far enough away from the principal work areas to not interrupt bench work? These questions—and others—will matter as you weigh your options.

Start with the essential products to get your cell cultures going: cell culture flasks, media, cell culture surfaces, and microplates. This new lab startup sample kit can help you select the tools you need to succeed. In addition, a growing number of sustainably designed laboratory supplies are available—such as Corning EcoChoice™, presenting additional opportunities to plan for a more sustainable lab.

When planning your lab's startup, remember that it can take weeks or months to fully stock your inventory to suit your workflows. To make sure your lab members can enjoy a smooth, productive start to their projects, plan ahead to secure the resources needed for experiments.

Starting a research lab can be challenging, but it can also be incredibly rewarding. Find colleagues who have gone through the process and ask them for advice. Plan more than you think you need to, and take time to get everything done safely and correctly. With this lab setup checklist in hand, you and your lab members can get a running start.

Ready to get started? Get 25% off lab supplies when you stock your new lab through Corning Life Sciences.