Ventation of culture vessles - (Mar/11/2005 )

how should the lid be when i incubate my cells in:

1. multiwells: should i tilt the lid so that half of the plate is covered and half is exposed directly to the air in the incubator? or should i just have the lid on so the whole plate is covered?

2. culture flask: should the lid be loosened (contamination risk)? or should i tie it completely (my cells can not get air )?

3. dish: should i only cover half of the dish? in this way half is covered and half is exposed directly to the air in the incubator? or should i just have the lid on so the whole dish is covered?

thank you.

hello
when u incubate your cells in multiwells and dishes you don't need to leave lid at an angle in the incubator as your cells will get infected, air should be able to get in as the seal isn't totally airtight. Generally you only put cells into wells and dishes to do an experiment so they probably won't be in there for ages anyway (use flasks for routine culture).

As for flasks, i guess you don't have vented tops so yes slightly loosen your lids.

hope this helps

thanks.

BTW what if i have vented tops, should i tie or loosen the lid?

If you have vented tops, you can tie or loosen the lid. The advantage of the vented top is that you do not need to worry about remembering of opening the cap inside the incubator.

Cells need to be in contact with air inside the incubator otherwise they die. The vented top let air go through, therefore does not matter if you leave the cap tight or not.

For cell culture dishes even if the lid is completely on there is exchange of air anyway, therefore you should leave the lid on.

thanks.