Actually a lot of companies sell you different cell types in a completely sealed T75 flask (no flask with vented cap). You can fill the flask almost completely with media (so the even if the shipment guy turn the thing upside down the cell will not dry) and then put in a polystyrene box, surround them with bubble wrap and "chips" to maintain the flask in the right position and thermally isolate it,then ship for one-two days. Once received, the person could remove most of the excess media put in the incubator and partially open the cap to vent the flask. The next day only half of the media should be changed to avoid loss of growth factors produced by the cells and then they could be subcultured as usual If you are the one that is transferring the cells you can use the same method, but putting less media and being careful to keep them in the right position.I think that that is the cheapest way.

Thank you! I am trying to transfer in a flask to prevent spills. Would this help? BTW, why ice packs on top though?

Are the cells you have in the flask adherent or in suspension? I would do a similar transport as Uday mentions, by putting the flasks on ice or (better) with ice packs. It would not hurt to seal the lids of the flasks with parafilm to prevent leaks. The ice packs on top and bottom are to make sure his plates are completed cooled. How long do you plan to have the cells out of an incubator?

Dear Gloria,

A more sophisticated device to handle and ship cells without cryopreservation is now a days available from Medibena Life Science and Diagnostic Solution. It's called Petaka G3™ - Cell Management Device.

Unlike conventional culture devices, PetakaG3 is Virtually Hermetically Enclosed™— requiring no additional CO2, no additional humidity and effectively eliminating contamination, spills and leaks. As a result, live cells can be handled safely and shipped in PetakaG3 devices without requiring freezing and dry ice. In fact, its slim profile allows it to be carried in a pocket.

Source: http://www.medibena.at/life-science/petaka-g3.html

Hope that helps.

Actually a lot of companies sell you different cell types in a completely sealed T75 flask (no flask with vented cap). You can fill the flask almost completely with media (so the even if the shipment guy turn the thing upside down the cell will not dry) and then put in a polystyrene box, surround them with bubble wrap and "chips" to maintain the flask in the right position and thermally isolate it,then ship for one-two days. Once received, the person could remove most of the excess media put in the incubator and partially open the cap to vent the flask. The next day only half of the media should be changed to avoid loss of growth factors produced by the cells and then they could be subcultured as usual If you are the one that is transferring the cells you can use the same method, but putting less media and being careful to keep them in the right position.I think that that is the cheapest way.

We also do same as Dr Danilo....

Read this protocol is the most effective tool available today. For long distance long time transportation:

http://celartia.com/images/Files_download/Shipping%20cell%20cultures%20without%20cryopreservation%20in%20petaka%20g3.pdf

Check this web:

http://shippingcells.com

Hello Everyone,

I'm coming a bit late to the conversation. But, I just wanted to be on the safe side and ask. How should I transport cells to a lab that's only 15 minutes away? I understand Uday's method but I don't understand the use of the ice packs, why would I want to keep the cells cool? Thanks!

@Monica, You dont have to use ice packs if you are only transporting cells for a short time.

Kumar Chokalingam Thank you!

Just buy a Petaka G3 cassette as described above, put your cells in it and ship or store them live for days without any worry at all about viability or health. Your cells will be fine...no freezing, ice packs, storage fluid, additives, etc. Just inject into the cassette and you are good for at least 5 days with any stromal cell. I have shipped cells live from the US to Germany 21 days by boat and they were recieved with excellent viability and health.

Dear Gloria,

I would not exclude using a portable incubation solution for transporting live cells.

Under ideal conditions you would transport cells under physiological conditions (temperature & CO2 control) as they were grown in your lab incubator! A non CO2 buffered transport would cause a pH-shift, resulting in cellular stress that could induce metabolic changes and altered gene expression. Sensitive cells like iPSCs might even start to differentiate spontaneously. Besides that, the adherence-, structural- & disintegrative characteristics might be influenced.

In a portable incubator system you are not leaving anything to chance. You have the ability to log your cultivation conditions (GMP/GLP compliance), and to prevent using toxic buffer alternatives such as HEPES or metabolic active cryoprotectants. If you want to have your cells ready-to-use on arrival without recovery-, lag-phase and having the cell behaviour completely unaffected - you should rather consider a portable incubation system.

Please take a look at the CELLBOX. With 24+ hours of temperature and CO2 controlled environment you are able to take your cells over the campus, state or country under lab like conditions. The flight version even comes with an international flight allowance, in case the cells need to shipped in an aircraft. The Cellbox is affordable for every laboratory.

https://cellbox-solutions.com/