I'm just wondering if I need to change the media of my cells that are culturing in 5% O2 (hypoxic condition) in a hypoxic chamber aka a hypoxic glove box? Or can I just quickly do this in a normal incubator and return the cells to the hypoxic incubator?
It sounds like a lot of work if we need to get a hypoxic glove box so I'm just wondering if anyone has any experience in this who could give me some insight?
Thank you
Hello Anh Hoang Le
Yes, you may do so if you are quick enough.
Because long exposure periods are required for the oxygen present in the gas phase to diffuse to the cells attached at the bottom of the culture dish. Depending on the volume and depth of the media, this can take hours due to poor oxygen diffusivity in aqueous media. The oxygen conditions at the pericellular level will not immediately match the oxygen conditions supplied in the incubator air.
If the desired oxygen levels must be maintained, then one must pre-equilibrate the media prior to culturing. The use of glove box is ideal as it can provide a controlled oxygen environment to increase experimental reproducibility. But you may try the way you have suggested for the reason mentioned above.
Best.
Malcolm Nobre Thank you so much! That really does save me a lot of effort. I just wanted to know if it's possible and it seems like you said, it is possible to do so.
Anh Hoang Le, in scientific research, you need to take risk then only new ideas emerge and breakthroughs are achieved. So, try it out.
Do let me know if it works.
Good Luck!
What is Your aim? What is Your hypoxia level necessary? 10%, 5%, 1%? 0,1% of O2?
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