Technical Library

Recent Entries in Technical Library

• Should I store the cryopreserved cells in the liquid phase or gas phase of liquid nitrogen?

  In principle, both types of liquid nitrogen storage are acceptable, each having its advantages and disadvantages.

  • Liquid phase storage provides a consistent temperature of -196°C, a longer holding time and a greater vial capacity but involves the risk of contamination issues.
  • Storage in the gas phase is very safe with respect to contaminations but the holding time of the cells is shorter and the vial capacity is reduced.
• When should I order the Growth Medium Kit instead of the Medium “ready-to-use”?

  The Growth Medium Kit allows customization of the end concentrations of growth supplements. It is therefore more flexible than the Medium “ready-to-use” and can eg. be used to prepare a starvation medium.
  Please note: Modification of supplement concentrations may have an impact on cell growth. You should test in advance whether and for how long the cells can survive the altered culture conditions.

  Related Links and Documents

  • PromoCell Growth Medium Info Sheet
• Can PromoCell normal human cells be grown in standard media like DMEM or RPMI1640 supplemented with 10% FBS?

  PromoCell Growth Media have special formulations and are much more complex than DMEM or RPMI + FBS. In comparison to immortalized cell lines, primary cells have much higher nutrient and growth factor requirements. Classical media do not usually achieve good performances with our cells.

• Can I isolate RNA and/or proteins from the cell pellets?

  PromoCell cell pellets (C-14**) are an easily accessible source of DNA, RNA, and proteins.

• Can the cell pellets be used to establish a growing culture?

  No, the PromoCell cell pellets (C-14**) are frozen at -20°C and cannot be revived. Their main application is to analyze RNA or protein. Cryopreserved cells that can be revived are available from the same donors. Please contact our Technical Customer Support if you need matched viable cells.

• What is the difference between DetachKit (C-41200) and DetachKit-2 (C-41202)?

  Both Kits contain HepesBSS, trypsin/EDTA, and Trypsin Neutralizing Solution (TNS). In DetachKit (C-41200), the concentration of trypsin/EDTA is 0.04% / 0.03%. In DetachKit-2 (C-41202), it is reduced to 0.025% trypsin / 0.01% EDTA. HepesBSS and TNS concentrations are identical in both Kits.

  Related Links and Documents

  • DetachKit
• What is the concentration of the trypsin inhibitor in TNS?

  Our TNS solution contains 0.05% (w/v) trypsin inhibitor from soy bean in HepesBSS/0.1% BSA.

  Related Links and Documents

  • TNS
• What is the shelf life of the PromoCell DetachKit/DetachKit-2?

  The three components of DetachKit and DetachKit-2 (HepesBSS, Trypsin/EDTA, TNS) are stable for 1 year from the date of manufacture when stored at -20°C. Once thawed for usage, they should be stored at 4-8°C and can be used for 6 weeks. Please avoid repeated freeze/thaw cycles.

  Related Links and Documents

  • DetachKit
  • DetachKit
• Can I use my own culture medium or other commercially available media for culturing PromoCell Normal Human Cells?

  Our Normal Human Cells have been cultured and tested in our growth media and have adapted to these conditions. Using other media may yield unsatisfactory results due to suboptimal supplies of nutrients and growth factors. PromoCell can only guarantee good cell growth (as stated in the Certificate of Analysis), when the cells are grown in the recommended media.

• How many cells do the cell pellets contain?

  PromoCell cell pellets are made from > 1 million cells and are dissolved in 200 µl RNAlater.