Freezing cells for later analysis

Dr M Salmon (salmonm@rheuma.bham.ac.uk)
Thu, 8 Jul 93 15:31:04 BST

In response to Isabelle Menard's request, the method we use for freezing cells
is as follows: suspend cells in a mixture of 20% DMSO in neat foetal calf serum
freeze the cells in the vapour phase of the liquid nitrogen tank (suspended a
few centimeters above the liquid) for at least 2 hours. After this the aliquots
should be submerged in the liquid nitrogen. Samples can be thawed easily by
dropping them into a plastic beaker containing water at room temperature. The
beaker MUST be plastic, and you MUST eark a face mask or goggles; once in a while the samples can explode on thawing. This is extremely rare, but you must be
cautious. We have used this technique for many years both for peripheral blood
cells, and a large variety of cell lines, including T cell clones, lymphoblastoid
lines, fibroblasts, etc. Recovery is extremely efficient. If you have any
problem contact me direct.

Have fun

Mike Salmon
Email to salmonm@rheuma.bham.ac.uk Voice: 021-414-6781


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CD-ROM Vol 3 was produced by Monica M. Shively and other staff at the Purdue University Cytometry Laboratories and distributed free of charge as an educational service to the cytometry community. If you have any comments please direct them to Dr. J. Paul Robinson, Professor & Director, PUCL, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907. Phone: (765)-494-0757; FAX(765) 494-0517; Web http://www.cyto.purdue.edu , EMAIL cdrom3@flowcyt.cyto.purdue.edu