CoolCell

We've been trying out a new piece of kit in the XCellR8 lab:

CoolCell® is a solid-state cryopreservation container that cools cells at a consistent rate of 1⁰C per minute - the optimum freezing rate for most cell types.  It works in a similar way to "Mr Frosty®", the well-known cryopreservation container that uses isopropanol to cool the cells at the same rate. Like Mr Frosty®, CoolCell® is used as an initial step to freeze cells down to -80⁰C, prior to transferring the cells to the vapour phase of a liquid nitrogen storage vessel.  However CoolCell® avoids the need to use isopropanol, and claims that the cooling rate is more consistent and reproducible due to the patented solid-state material used.  We also like the fact that it doesn’t freeze your fingers when you open it to transfer the cells to permanent storage! It's available in a range of funky colours - I thought I looked quite fetching with the purple one, as pictured here J FYI, the 2 containers are similar in price. 

We’re currently doing a side-by-side comparison of the 2 containers using 2 cell types: a robust mouse fibroblast cell line (3T3) and a more sensitive cell type – primary human epidermal keratinocytes.  Cells cryopreserved in both containers (triplicate vials) all gave >90% viability on thawing.  So far the growth performance post-cryopreservation also looks similar in both containers.  We’ll be completing the study this week.

Mr Frosty® is manufactured by Nalgene and available through a number of well-known cell culture suppliers – a Google search will show you lots of alternatives!  CoolCell® is manufactured by Biocision (www.biocision.com).

For more hints and tips on cell culture including the latest innovations, join us at XCellR8’s Fast Train 2012 event in Manchester on 15 November:  http://www.x-cellr8.com/fasttrain2012.aspx.  Register before 30 September to catch the early bird rate.  Hope to see you there!