Thermo Fisher Scientific is a leading global provider of scientific products, offering a wide array of cell culture supplies under recognized brands such as Nunc and Gibco. Achieving consistent and reproducible results in scientific research relies on the precise selection and use of laboratory ware, including cell culture flasks, plates, and dishes. Each product carries specific identifying numbers that are fundamental for maintaining consistency across experiments and batches, directly impacting the reliability of cell growth and experimental outcomes.
Locating Product Information on Cell Culture Vessels
Identifying numbers on cell culture vessels and their packaging are important for tracking and reproducibility. The catalog number, often labeled “CAT” or “REF,” is the primary identifier for the specific product type. This number is commonly molded into the vessel’s plastic, such as near the neck of a T-flask or on the base of a petri dish. It also appears prominently on the sterile outer packaging, typically on a label.
The lot number, marked “LOT,” provides traceability to a specific manufacturing batch, which is important for quality control and troubleshooting. This number is usually printed directly onto the product’s packaging, often alongside the catalog number. For multi-well plates, the lot number might be etched into the side of the plate or printed on the plastic sleeve containing the stack.
An expiration date or “Use By” date indicates the period during which the product maintains its specifications and sterility. This date is also printed on the product packaging, ensuring users are aware of the product’s shelf life. Locating these numbers promptly allows for accurate reordering and adherence to laboratory protocols.
Decoding Thermo Scientific Product Numbers
Thermo Scientific catalog numbers for cell culture products are structured codes that provide detailed information about a product’s specific features. While the exact numerical sequence varies, the digits encode several attributes of the vessel. This system allows researchers to quickly identify the product’s design and intended use.
The catalog number typically encodes the following attributes:
The initial digits signify the general vessel type, distinguishing between flasks, multi-well plates, or petri dishes.
Subsequent numbers denote the size or growth area of the vessel, such as a T-25 (25 cm²) or T-75 (75 cm²) flask, or the well count of a plate like 6-well or 96-well formats.
Another segment indicates the cap type, differentiating between vented caps for gas exchange and plug seal caps for closed systems.
The final portion specifies the surface treatment, providing a code that corresponds to standard tissue culture-treated surfaces, non-treated surfaces, or specialty coatings.
Common Cell Culture Products and Catalog Numbers
Understanding common catalog numbers can simplify the ordering and identification of frequently used cell culture labware. For instance, a standard T-25 Flask with a vented cap and Nunclon Delta surface, widely used for adherent cell lines, might have a catalog number like 156367. A larger T-75 Flask with the same Nunclon Delta surface is identified by a number such as 156499.
Multi-well plates are also frequently used, with their catalog numbers reflecting specific configurations. A 6-well plate featuring the Nunclon Delta surface for adherent cells has a catalog number like 140675. For high-throughput applications, a 96-well plate with the Nunclon Delta surface treatment has a catalog number like 167008. A 100 mm petri dish has a catalog number like 150464.
Selecting the Appropriate Surface Treatment
Choosing the correct surface treatment for cell culture vessels is a scientific decision based on the specific cell type and experimental goals. The standard tissue-culture treated surface, often referred to as Nunclon Delta by Thermo Scientific, is created through a plasma treatment that introduces an anionic charge to the polystyrene surface. This modification makes the otherwise hydrophobic polystyrene more hydrophilic, promoting robust attachment and spreading of anchorage-dependent cells like fibroblasts, epithelial cells, and many primary cell lines. This surface is routinely validated to ensure consistent cell growth across various cell lines.
In contrast, non-treated or untreated surfaces maintain the native hydrophobic properties of polystyrene. These surfaces are generally used for suspension cell cultures, such as lymphocytes or certain hybridoma cells, which proliferate without adhering to the vessel. Non-treated surfaces are also suitable for applications where cell aggregation, such as the formation of spheroids or 3D cell cultures, is desired, as they prevent cell spreading. Researchers may also use these untreated surfaces as a base for applying their own custom coatings in the laboratory.
For specialized cell types, coated surfaces are used to enhance cell attachment and support specific cellular functions. Poly-D-Lysine (PDL) coated surfaces, for example, provide a synthetic, positively charged environment that promotes electrostatic interactions with negatively charged cell membranes. This makes PDL effective for culturing sensitive cells like primary neurons or human pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons, which require strong adhesion for growth and differentiation. Collagen I coated surfaces offer a more physiological environment, mimicking components of the extracellular matrix. Collagen I supports the adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation of various cell types, including endothelial cells, muscle cells, and some tumor cell lines, by providing specific binding sites that cells recognize.