Biosafety classification is based on U.S. Public Health Service Guidelines, it is the responsibility of the customer to ensure that their facilities comply with biosafety regulations for their own country.

1.xa0xa0 Harvest the cells from a culture that is at or near peak density by centrifuging at 850 x g for 5 minutes.

2.xa0 If the cell concentration exceeds the required level do not centrifuge, but adjust the concentration to between 2 x 10⁶ and 2 x 10⁷ cells/ml with fresh medium.xa0 If the concentration is too low, centrifuge at 850 x g for 5 min and resuspend the pellet in the volume of fresh medium required to yield the desired concentration.

3.xa0 While cells are centrifuging prepare a 20% (v/v) solution of sterile DMSO as follows: Add the required volume of DMSO to a glass screw-capped test tube and place it in an ice bath.xa0 Allow the DMSO to solidify.xa0 Add the required volume of refrigerated medium.xa0 Dissolve the DMSO by inverting the tube several times.xa0

xa0xa0xa0xa0xa0 *NOTE: If the DMSO solution is not prepared on ice, an exothermic reaction will occur that may precipitate certain components of the medium.

4.xa0 Mix the cell preparation and the DMSO in equal portions. Thus, the final concentration will be between 10⁶ and 10⁷ cells/ml and 10% (v/v) DMSO. The time from the mixing of the cell preparation and DMSO stock solution before the freezing process is begun should be no less than 15 min and no longer than 30 min.

5.xa0xa0 Dispense in 0.5 ml aliquots into 1.0 - 2.0 ml sterile plastic screw-capped cryules (special plastic vials for cryopreservation).

6.xa0xa0 Place vials in a controlled rate freezing unit. From room temperature cool at -1°C/min to -40°C. If freezing unit can compensate for the heat of fusion, maintain rate at -1°C/min through heat of fusion. At -40°C plunge ampules into liquid nitrogen.xa0xa0 Alternatively, place the vials in a Nalgene 1°C freezing apparatus.xa0 Place the apparatus at -80°C for 1.5 to 2 hours and then plunge ampules into liquid nitrogen.xa0 (The cooling rate in this apparatus is approximately -1°C/min.)

7.xa0 The frozen preparations are stored in either the vapor or liquid phase of a nitrogen freezer.

8.xa0xa0 To establish a culture from the frozen state place an ampule in a water bath set at 35°C (2-3 min). Immerse the vial just sufficient to cover the frozen material. Do not agitate the vial.

9.xa0xa0 Immediately after thawing, aseptically remove the contents of the ampule and inoculate into 12 ml of fresh ATCC medium 1873 in a 16 x 125 screw-capped test tube.xa0 Incubate on a 15° horizontal slant at 25°C.