Search
Search
View additional product information for Nunc™ Biobanking and Cell Culture Cryogenic Tubes - FAQs (347643, 375353, 337516PK, 347627PK, 366524PK, 337516, 375418, 375418PK, 379189, 379146, 347597PK, 379146PK, 368632, 366656PK, 379189PK, 366656, 363401, 347597, 351934, 377224, 363401PK, 377267, 375353PK, 347643PK, 363452PK, 368632PK, 347627, 377224PK, 363452, 367997, 377267PK, 366524, 374080, 374081)
7 product FAQs found
Nunc Biobanking and Cell Culture Cryogenic Tubes are normally placed in a 4 degrees C ice bath during cell inoculation in the cryogenic tube. The heat required to shrink the polyethylene Nunc CryoFlex Tube Wrap will not raise the internal temperature enough to damage the cells. At this stage, cryoprotective agents are added.
We recommend the following protocol for thawing cells immersed in liquid nitrogen without Nunc CryoFlex Tube Wrap:
- Wear appropriate protective clothing including gloves, face guard, etc., during all transfer processes.
- The Nunc Biobanking and Cell Culture Cryogenic Tubes should be stored at least 24 hr in the gas phase of the liquid nitrogen freezer. This should allow trapped liquid nitrogen to evaporate and escape slowly, thereby reducing the possible pressure in the cryogenic tube.
- After at least 24 hr storage in the gas phase, the cryogenic tube may be put into a water bath and covered with a towel.
- After thawing, the contents of the cryogenic tube can be transferred.
Of the Nunc Biobanking and Cell Culture Cryogenic Tubes, we recommend the internally threaded design, incorporating a silicon gasket, for liquid nitrogen immersion. At ultra low temperatures, any sealing material becomes inflexible. A theoretical risk of leakage is present when any mechanical closure is used. To facilitate leakproof storage, mechanically closed containers must be hermetically sealed in a protective envelope.
The Nunc cryo products includes Nunc CryoFlex Tube Wrap, a heat sealable polyethylene tubing designed for cryogenic tube encasement. The use of cryogenic tubes for freezing in liquid nitrogen (liquid phase) storage without CryoFlex tubing poses a safety hazard.
WARNING: Do not use Nunc Biobanking and Cell Culture Cryogenic Tubes in liquid phase of liquid nitrogen unless correctly sealed in Nunc CryoFlex Tube Wrap (Cat. No. 343958). Improper use may cause entrapment of liquefied nitrogen inside the vial and lead to pressure build-up, resulting in possible explosion or biohazard release. Use appropriate safety procedures as outlined in the Nalge Nunc International Cryopreservation Manual when handling and disposing of the vials.
Internally threaded Nunc Biobanking and Cell Culture Tubes are designed for vapor phase liquid nitrogen freezing. The cap incorporates a silicon gasket to enhance sealing properties.
Externally threaded Nunc Biobanking and Cell Culture Tubes are designed for mechanical freezing. The external screw cap reduces risk of contamination due to handling.
We do not recommend autoclaving Nunc Biobanking and Cell Culture Tubes, even though they are made of polypropylene with polyethylene caps and stoppers.
Both types are designed and tested for secure cryogenic storage, so it’s largely a matter of personal preference. In an externally threaded vial (in which the cap covers the entire top portion of the vial itself), the underside of the cap is protected when unscrewed), which can minimize the potential for cross-contamination. In an internally threaded vial (in which the vial threads are inside the neck area and the cap inserts like a plug), the cap is the same diameter as the vial itself which can be helpful in certain types of dense storage applications.
Liquid nitrogen has very low surface tension, so it can flow into any of our cryostorage vials even if they are tightly capped. This creates significant potential for cross-contamination in storage as well as risk of injury from explosion when the vials are removed from storage and the liquid nitrogen boils off. The only option to mitigate this is Nunc Cryoflex tubing (e.g., Cat. No. 343958), which results in a heat-sealed barrier layer around each vial. Alternatively, storage in the vapor phase of liquid nitrogen is acceptable unless otherwise noted.