Freezing Cells

1) Keep prepared solutions on ice.

2) Determine total cell count of cells to be frozen. (e.g. 1 X 108 )

3) Determine number of vials to be frozen. (e.g. 10 vials at 1 X 107 )

4) Centrifuge cell suspension.

5) Resuspend cell pellet in half the required volume of freezing media. (eg if freezing 10 vials, add 5 mls freezing media)

6) Keep cell suspension on ice.

7) Slowly add dropwise with mixing an equal volume of DMSO solution.

8) Dispense 1 ml of final mixture per sterile Nunc freezing vial.

9) Freeze in liquid nitrogen plug or in controlled rate Planar freezer.

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Freezing media

60 ml RPMI1640 or DMEM
40 ml Gammaglobulin free Horse Serum (or FCS)
1 ml Penicillin - Streptomycin

- Filter through 0.2µ filter.
- Aliquot in 15 ml conical tubes and store in -200 C freezer for long term periods.
- Aliquots can be stored in tissue culture flasks in refrigerator for short periods.


20% DMSO solution MAKE FRESH ON DAY OF USE!

If using 100% DMSO:
4 ml pH adjusted medium RPMI (orange-red color)
1 ml sterile 100% DMSO
0.1 ml versene

- Filter through a 0.2 µ filter.

If using 50% DMSO:
3 ml pH adjusted medium
2 ml 50% DMSO
0.1 ml versene

- Filter through a 0.2 µ filter.

NOTE: Versene can be left out, but adding it prevents cells from clumping.