Spinner flask

Types of spinner flasks

Spinner flask is a type of laboratory flask used for cell culture. It is designed to promote the growth of cells in suspension by providing a low-shear environment. The spinner flask typically consists of a body with a lid containing a magnetic stirrer or mechanical stirrer. The stirring action creates a flow of liquid that keeps the cells suspended and evenly distributed throughout the culture medium. Spinner flasks are commonly used for growing various types of cells, including bacteria, yeast, and mammalian cells.

There are different types of spinner flasks, such as:

• Polypropylene spinner flasks:

  Polypropylene spinner flasks are durable and chemically resistant. They are made of material suitable for long-term experiments or cultures. These are affordable flasks that provide good transparency for visual monitoring of cell culture. They are suitable for a wide range of applications, including bacterial and yeast cell culture.

• Glass spinner flasks:

  Glass spinner flasks are autoclavable and can be sterilized for use in higher-temperature experiments. These spinner culture vessels have broad chemical resistance. They have great clarity and can be easily cleaned for reuse. They are ideal for mammalian cell culture, where higher temperatures or sensitive compounds are involved.

• High-density polyethylene (HDPE) spinner flasks:

  HDPE spinner flasks are lightweight and impact-resistant. They are made of material with high chemical resistance. These spinner culture vessels have good stiffness and can withstand harsh chemicals. They are suitable for environments with high humidity and corrosive substances.

• Polycarbonate (PC) spinner flasks:

  Polycarbonate spinner flasks are optically clear and structurally robust. They are made of material with high impact resistance. These spinner flasks can be used for a wide range of applications due to their mechanical strength and clarity. They are suitable for both microbial and mammalian cell cultures.

• Polystyrene (PS) spinner flasks:

  Polystyrene spinner flasks are lightweight and cost-effective. They are made of material suitable for single-use applications. These spinner flasks have good transparency and are often used in disposable culture systems. They are ideal for applications requiring minimal cross-contamination.

Design of spinner flasks

• Vessel Shape:

  The design of spinner flasks includes conical bottom flasks and cylindrical vessels. The conical design allows for easy collection of cells and debris at the bottom, facilitating harvesting. Cylindrical vessels provide a uniform surface area for spinner movement, promoting consistent agitation throughout the liquid.

• Materials:

  Spinner flasks are made from high-quality materials such as borosilicate glass, polycarbonate, and polystyrene. Borosilicate glass is known for its resistance to thermal shock and chemical corrosion. Polycarbonate is a durable and transparent plastic material. Polystyrene is a recyclable, lightweight, and rigid material. These materials ensure that spinner flasks are durable, transparent, and easy to sterilize for use in tissue culture applications.

• Aeration and Access Ports:

  Aeration ports in spinner flasks allow for gas exchange without contaminating the culture. Access ports are designed for the addition of reagents or for sampling without disturbing the spinner mechanism.

• Compatibility with Agitation Systems:

  Spinner flasks are designed to be compatible with various agitation systems, such as magnetic stirrers and mechanical spinners. The components of spinner flasks are designed to mesh seamlessly with the machinery, ensuring smooth operation and minimizing wear and tear.

• Modular Design:

  Many spinner flasks feature a modular design, allowing for customization and adaptation to different experimental setups. Researchers can interchange components such as lids, spinners, and baffled inserts to optimize the flask for their specific needs. This versatility makes spinner flasks suitable for a wide range of applications, from basic research to industrial cell culture.

Usage scenario of spinner flasks

The increasing popularity of spinner flasks is mainly due to their ability to produce high-quality cell cultures in a 3D environment. This organogenesis model can be applied in the following areas:

• Cultivating stem cells

  When creating stem cell cultures, scientists want to maintain the natural characteristics of the stem cells. Spinner flasks provide an environment where stem cells can live and grow like they would in the body. This is important for research on stem cells and their potential to treat diseases.

• Producing organoids

  Organoids are tiny versions of organs made from stem cells. Spinner flasks are used to grow organoids because they need stable conditions and gentle movement. This helps organoids develop properly and mimic real organ tissues. Researchers use organoids to study diseases and test new medicines in a laboratory setting.

• Creating tissue engineering

  Tissue engineering aims to grow real human tissues to repair injuries or diseases. Spinner flasks provide the right environment to grow cells on scaffolds in tissue engineering. The flasks spin and keep the cells moving so they can stick to the scaffold and form tissue. This has potential uses for healing damaged organs in patients.

• Studying disease models

  Scientists can use spinner flask cultures to study how diseases behave in cells. By growing cells from patients with a certain disease inside the flask, researchers can learn about cancer, Alzheimer's, and other illnesses. This type of work may help discover new treatments to help people who are sick.

How to choose a spinner flask

• Application:

  Determine the purpose of the spinner flask. Is it for cell culture, protein expression, or enzyme assays? Different applications may require specific designs or features, such as baffled necks for enhanced aeration in cell culture.

• Volume Capacity:

  Choose a spinner flask with the right volume capacity to accommodate the desired sample size. Spinner flasks come in various sizes, typically ranging from 125 milliliters to 2 liters.

• Material:

  Look for spinner flasks made from high-quality materials like borosilicate glass or polycarbonate. These materials are usually durable, resistant to chemicals, and capable of withstanding high temperatures and pressures.

• Design Features:

  Examine the design features of the spinner flask. Look for aspects such as baffled necks, sidearm ports for sampling or addition of reagents, and compatibility with different types of stirrers.

• Compatibility:

  Check the compatibility of the spinner flask with existing laboratory equipment, such as stirrers, incubators, and centrifuges. Ensure that the flask can be easily integrated into the existing workflow.

• Ease of Use:

  Consider the usability of the spinner flask. Look for features like easy-to-read volume markings, convenient opening/closing mechanisms, and the ability to easily clean and sterilize the flask.

• Brand Reputation and Reviews:

  Research the brand reputation of the manufacturer of the spinner flask and read reviews from other users. Choose products that have been recognized for their quality and performance.

• Cost:

  Consider the cost of the spinner flask and assess whether it is within the budget. However, do not sacrifice quality for cost. Sometimes, higher-quality products may have a higher price but can provide better performance and durability.

• Regulatory Compliance:

  Ensure that the spinner flask complies with relevant regulatory standards, such as Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and standards set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This is important for applications in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industries.

Q&A

Q1. What is a spinner flask used for?

A1. Spinner flasks are used for culturing mammalian cells in a lab. They promote cell growth by providing a constant supply of oxygen to cells.

Q2. How does the design of a spinner flask help in cell culture?

A2. The design of a spinner flask facilitates the formation of a vortex in the liquid, which keeps cells suspended and evenly distributed.

Q3. What kinds of cells can be grown in spinner flasks?

A3. Spinner flasks can grow various mammalian cells, including adherent cells and suspension cells.

Q4. What is the function of the magnetic spinner bar in a spinner flask?

A4. A magnetic spinner bar generates agitation when it is placed in the flask. It keeps the cells in suspension and ensures uniformity.

Q5. Why is it important to maintain a constant supply of oxygen in spinner flask cultures?

A5. Oxygen is crucial for many mammalian cells' metabolic processes. A constant supply of oxygen promotes healthy cell growth and productivity.

Q6. Can spinner flasks be used for large-scale cell cultures?

A6. Yes, spinner flasks are suitable for large-scale cultures. They can be used for expanding cells or producing recombinant proteins or viral vectors.

Q7. What are the advantages of using spinner flasks over other cell culture vessels?

A7. Spinner flasks provide continuous agitation, which keeps cells in suspension and reduces the risk of settling and damage. They also allow for better oxygen transfer, which is vital for mammalian cell cultures.

Q8. How can cell aggregation be minimized in spinner flasks?

A8. To minimize cell aggregation, the agitation speed should be optimized, and anti-clumping agents can be added to the culture medium.

Q9. Are spinner flasks compatible with automated systems?

A9. Yes, many spinner flasks can be integrated into automated systems for monitoring and controlling culture parameters.

Q10. What are the signs that cells are ready to be passaged from a spinner flask?

A10. Indicators that cells are ready for passaging include reaching a desired confluency, signs of overgrowth, and changes in culture medium color or pH.