Volumes used in this protocol are for 75 cm
2 flasks; proportionally reduce or increase amount of dissociation medium for culture vessels of other sizes.
NOTE: Warm all solutions to 37°C prior to use.
- Transfer all medium and floating cells from flask to a 50 mL centrifuge tube.
- Adherent cells are removed using Cell Dissociation Buffer (an enzyme free buffer; Invitrogen, Catalog No. 13150-016). Add 5 mL of diluted cell dissociation buffer per 75 cm2 flask and gently rock flask to bathe the cells at room temperature for 1 to 2 minutes.
- Allow the flask to remain at room temperature for 1 to 5 additional minutes until cells have detached from the flask.
- Firmly tap the flask against palm of hand to dislodge cells.
- Add 10 mL of fresh medium per 75 cm2 flask and triturate up and down directing the stream along the growth surface of the flask to dislodge the cells and break up some of the clumps.
- Transfer these cells to the centrifuge tube from Step 1. Centrifuge at 125 x g for 5 to 10 minutes. Remove medium and resuspend pellet in fresh complete medium.
- Add appropriate aliquots of cell suspension to new culture vessels.
- Incubate cultures at 37°C.
Subcultivation Ratio: A subcultivation ratio of 1:3 to 1:4 is recommended.
Medium Renewal: 2 to 3 times a week.
Note: For more information on enzymatic dissociation and subculturing of cell lines consult Chapter 13 in Culture Of Animal Cells: A Manual Of Basic Technique by R. Ian Freshney, 5th edition, published by Wiley-Liss, N.Y., 2005.