Problem: Tissue
culture is a vital element of many research laboratories. Extensive experiments often stem off of
cultured cells and provide valuable insight.
Any break in the ability to use cultured cells or newly isolated primary
cells impacts many experiments down the line.
Growth of unwanted microbes and mold in tissue culture impairs the
ability of a researcher to perform further experiments. The researcher must then use valuable time
and resources to obtain new cells and avoid contamination in the future. Contamination in tissue culture is a complex
and frustrating issue afflicting thousands of researchers every year. Contamination is not only costly, but
results in great productivity loss.
Solution: TPP, distributed in the United States by
MIDSCI, addresses each contributing issue to contamination with its innovative
and unique design.
One of the biggest
obstacles to overcoming and avoiding contamination is removing the optimal
breeding grounds for microbes and mold spores.
In order for microbes to grow, they need heat, a moist environment, and
sustenance. Incubators provide the perfect
breeding ground. TPP prevents the issues
of condensation to build up between dishes, plates, and flasks while stacking. TPP dishes plates and flasks are manufactured
with vented stacking feet (Figure 1).
This not only decreases condensation by even air flow, but also evenly
distributes temperature. Even
temperature distribution among multiple samples and treatments is crucial in
maintaining reproducibility.
An additional
contributor to microbe and mold growth is the location of the treated surfaces
and “deck” seen in some flasks (Figure 2a).
TPP has a flat growth surface directly up to the neck of the flask. In addition, only the bottom surface of the
plates, dishes, and flasks are treated.
When flasks are moved, media sloshes up onto the “angled deck” of some flasks
providing an ideal breeding ground for microbes and mold. The “angled deck” or “dead space” provides
yet another disadvantage: In order to add small amounts of liquid to the flask
with a pipettor, the shaft must go into the neck of the flask to reach the
media (Figure 2b). Introducing the shaft
to the neck of the flask opens the flask for contamination. TPP flasks, with their lack of dead space, allow
for only the sterile pipette tip to enter the flask for small liquid additions . TPP’s innovative design overcomes the
obstacles the “angled deck” presents and prevents yet another contributor to
contamination.
The
vented or filtered cap on a flask is meant to prevent contamination or allow
for varying amounts of air to enter. The
caps only provide a barrier to contamination when used and secured properly. Caps can be easily secured improperly,
slightly skewed when turned on the neck of the flask. Improper cap securing can introduce microbes
or mold spores to enter. The design of TPP filtered caps functionally
avoids the issue. TPP filtered caps have
a raised ridge area to help line up to ensure they are closed correctly. TPP
vented caps have audible clicks to aid in proper ventilation and the securing
of the cap (Figure 3).
Suspension cells are just as easily
affected by contamination as adherent cells.
TPP manufactures a vessel for suspension cells that not only reduces
contamination, but saves time and risk of contamination by eliminating the need
to transfer to conical tubes before centrifuging . Gas exchange is often important in the growth
of suspension cells and can also be a source of contamination. TPP bioreactors (Figure 4) have sterile gas
exchange through the 0.22µm filter membrane.
In addition, five openings of different size within the cap allow for
varying levels of gas permeability, expanding the variety of experim
ents that can be
performed. The TPP bioreactor,
available in 15, 50, and 600 mLs not only saves the researcher valuable time
that would be lost due to contamination, but also time lost in transferring for
centrifugation.
It is essential that every
researcher take extensive steps to ensure their cells and experiments are
performed properly and without error.
TPP products help prevent contamination and prevent the costly cleanup
and productivity loss.
