When to Use Culture Flasks vs. Multi-Well Plates for Cell Culture
News 24 4 月, 2025
In vitro cell culture requires cells to adhere to artificial surfaces. Most vertebrate cells grow in a monolayer on these surfaces, typically culture flasks, dishes, or multi-well plates.
Basic Concepts
Based on material, culture surfaces are usually disposable plastic or glass. Glass is low-cost and reusable with good light transmission but has become less common due to complex cleaning and poor storage. Disposable plastics, mainly polypropylene, are uniform, low-cost, and provide good surfaces for cell growth.
Some plasticware is labeled “surface-treated”—this means the hydrophobic surface has undergone treatments like irradiation to enhance cell adhesion.
Choosing the Right Culture Vessel
The choice between a culture flask and a multi-well plate depends on your experimental goal:
- To harvest large quantities of cells or secreted products: Use flasks or dishes.
- For small-scale, repeated tests on cells or cell products: Use multi-well plates.
Once the goal is clear, choose the appropriate size and type:
1. Using Culture Flasks or Dishes
- Based on desired cell yield: Flasks are labeled by surface area (e.g., T25 = 25cm²), dishes by diameter (e.g., 3.5cm or 9cm).
- Ease of use: Dishes are easier to handle for beginners but have a higher contamination risk due to large openings. New users should avoid dishes.
- Additional features: Choose flasks with angled shoulders and vented caps for better CO₂ exchange and less contamination.
If the cap isn’t vented, loosen it slightly before placing the flask in the incubator.
2. Using Multi-Well Plates
- Choose based on cell number required: Reference standard cell yield charts.
- Bottom shape matters: Flat-bottom is ideal for adherent cells; cone or round-bottom plates are for suspension cultures.
- Tips for use:
- Edge wells may evaporate quickly and affect growth—seal with film or fill edge wells with media.
- Avoid shaking or disturbing the plate after seeding cells. Handle gently and minimize vibrations from shared incubators.