Cell culture dishes are core laboratory vessels widely used for microbial and cell cultivation. Composed of a flat, disc-shaped base and a matching lid, they are mainly made of glass or plastic, with each material customized to meet specific experimental needs. Understanding the specifications, classification, and correct usage methods of cell culture dishes is crucial for ensuring the accuracy and reproducibility of cell culture experiments—whether in basic research, drug development, or clinical diagnostics.
I. Classification of Cell Culture Dishes
Cell culture dishes are classified based on multiple criteria to adapt to different experimental requirements. This classification helps researchers select the most suitable vessel for specific application scenarios.
By Usage
- Cell Culture Dishes: Specifically designed for culturing animal or plant cells, especially adherent cells that require a stable surface for attachment and proliferation. Such dishes are often subjected to special surface treatments (e.g., TC treatment) to enhance cell adhesion.
- Bacterial Culture Dishes: Optimized for cultivating bacteria, fungi, or other microorganisms. They typically have a simpler design, and plastic bacterial culture dishes are mostly disposable, offering convenience and effective prevention of cross-contamination.
By Material
- Glass Cell Culture Dishes: Reusable and heat-resistant, suitable for high-temperature sterilization (e.g., dry heat sterilization or autoclaving). They are ideal for plant material culture, microbial cultivation, and long-term experiments where reusability is cost-effective. The high-borosilicate glass used in the products boasts excellent chemical resistance to acids and alkalis, maintaining durability even after frequent cleaning.
- Plastic Cell Culture Dishes: Dominate modern laboratories, especially as disposable options. Most plastic dishes are made of polystyrene (PS), which is optically transparent for easy cell observation under a microscope. Disposable plastic dishes are pre-sterilized via gamma irradiation or ethylene oxide, eliminating the need for in-lab sterilization and reducing contamination risks. Some products are also equipped with features like anti-spill rims or breathable lids to support gas exchange.
By Size
The diameter of cell culture dishes determines their surface area, which directly affects the number of cells that can be cultured. Common sizes include:
- 35mm: Suitable for small-scale experiments, such as single-cell cloning or confocal microscopy.
- 60mm/90mm: The most widely used sizes for routine cell culture, striking a balance between cell yield and space efficiency. 90mm dishes are often used for bacterial plating or medium-scale cell expansion.
- 150mm: Ideal for large-scale cell production, such as preparing cell lysates for protein extraction. 150mm “high-top” models are available to accommodate more culture medium.
By Compartmentalization
For experiments requiring multiple samples in a single dish (e.g., comparing different treatments), compartmentalized dishes are available:
- 2-compartment or 3-compartment dishes: Allow simultaneous cultivation of multiple cell lines or microbial strains without cross-contamination. This is particularly useful in high-throughput screening or comparative studies.
II. Storage Requirements for Cell Culture Dishes
Proper storage of cell culture dishes is essential to maintaining their sterility and performance. Improper storage conditions can lead to material degradation or contamination.
- Storage Environment: Store in a cool, dry, and dark area. Plastic dishes exposed to high temperatures, moisture, or direct sunlight may become brittle or lose sterility, while glass dishes may develop condensation that promotes microbial growth.
- Contamination Prevention: Keep dishes separate from toxic and harmful substances to avoid chemical leakage. For disposable sterile dishes, ensure the packaging is intact before use—damaged packaging can compromise sterility.
- Transportation Notes: Handle with care to prevent physical damage (e.g., cracking or lid detachment). As non-hazardous goods, cell culture dishes can be transported via standard logistics, but extreme temperatures and rough handling should be avoided during transit.
III. Usage Guidelines and Safety Tips
Incorrect use of cell culture dishes is one of the main causes of experimental failure, potentially leading to contamination or inconsistent cell growth. Follow these steps to ensure proper usage:
Pre-Use Preparation
- Cleaning (for Reusable Glass Dishes): New glass dishes may have residual alkaline substances from the manufacturing process. Rinse with hot water first, then soak in a 1%-2% hydrochloric acid solution for several hours to neutralize the alkalinity. Thoroughly rinse with distilled water (at least twice) to remove acid residues that may alter the pH of the culture medium and inhibit cell growth.
- Sterilization:For bacterial culture, glass dishes can be sterilized by high-pressure steam (120°C, 6.8×10⁵ Pascals) for 30 minutes or dry heat sterilization (120°C for 2 hours) to kill bacterial spores.
- Disposable plastic dishes are pre-sterilized and ready for use—do not re-sterilize them, as high temperatures or chemicals can cause the plastic to melt or degrade.
During Experimentation
- Contamination Control: Before placing dishes in a cell incubator, disinfect the outer surface with 75% ethanol and allow it to dry completely to avoid ethanol vapor damaging the cells. Minimize the time the incubator door is open to maintain a sterile and stable environment (e.g., 5% CO₂ for mammalian cell culture).
- Operation Standards: Cell culture dishes (especially glass ones) are fragile—handle with extra care to prevent dropping or cracking. Avoid overloading when stacking dishes to prevent lid displacement, which can expose cultures to air contaminants.
- Observation Requirements: Use an inverted microscope for cell observation. Clean the microscope stage with ethanol before placing the dish to avoid cross-contamination between samples.
Post-Use Handling
- Waste Disposal: Discard used disposable plastic dishes in biohazard waste bins, strictly following laboratory biological waste safety protocols.
- Cleaning (for Glass Dishes): Immediately soak used glass dishes in water to prevent protein or microbial residues from drying and adhering to the surface. Gently scrub with a soft brush and detergent, then soak in an acid solution (e.g., 5% hydrochloric acid) overnight to remove stubborn residues. Rinse thoroughly with distilled water and dry before re-sterilization.
IV. Expert Recommendations for Selection
Choosing the right cell culture dish depends on the experimental objectives. For example:
- For culturing adherent mammalian cells, select TC-treated plastic dishes to promote cell attachment.
- For long-term microbial culture, opt for reusable glass dishes for cost-effectiveness.
- For high-throughput experiments, use compartmentalized dishes or multi-well plates (e.g., 24-well or 96-well plates) to save space and reagents.