Easy as Y

NUNC™ Brand EasY Flask from Nalge Nunc Designing the next generation of cell culture flasks would seem a difficult task. How can one improve upon a rather standard laboratory technology? Nalge Nunc International Corporation (a subsidiary of Sybron International) has answered that question with the new NUNC™ Brand EasY Flask product line, which incorporates three new design features: a large-aperture neck opening, allowing greater access to the growth surface; a quick-turn mechanism for cap opening and closing; and a visual indicator for vent status right on the cap surface. The polystyrene EasY Flask (currently available in 25 cm2 and 75 cm2 sizes) has a proprietary Nunclon™ Delta growth surface which is tested for monolayer formation and cloning efficiency. The EasY Flask is capped with a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) filter cap for continuous gas exchange or a solid HDPE cap with a symmetrical Y molded into the top of the cap. If any leg of the Y points vertically downward on visual inspection, the cap is closed. Conversely, if any leg of the Y appears vertically upward, the cap is properly vented. Users can also be assured of proper cap position for venting by feeling a positive stop when the vent is fully open. The technology behind this vent/close system is a unique notch threading that requires only a one-third turn to open or close the cap. This facilitates one-handed manipulation of the flask and saves time and wrist strain when large numbers of flasks are being processed. The unique Y insignia that gave the EasY Flask its name and the quick turn cap are not the only innovations in this product line. The neck opening is wider than what is otherwise found in the next larger size of standard flask. This modification allows the entire flask's growth surface to be available for cell manipulation or recovery. The neck of the EasY Flask is angled not only to facilitate access to the cells but to prevent media movement into the neck area. A "deeper" design (the distance from the growing surface to the top of the flask in a horizontal orientation) also keeps media from contaminating the neck surface. The increased depth has another important function, according to Margaret Kelly, NUNC™ Brand cell culture product manager. When flasks are placed upright for media addition, the design provides a wider base that, particularly for 25 cm2 flasks, confers stability. Ginger Hunt of the Environmental Molecular Toxicology Division of RJ Reynolds has used both sizes of the EasY Flask, both with and without the filter cap option, for expanding cultures of Chinese hamster ovary cells. For trypsinizing cells, Hunt finds the larger neck opening invaluable for complete access to the cells. Linda Jauron-Mills of the Oregon Cancer Center's Cell Culture and Gene Expression Core Facility also mentioned the ability to insert a pipet into the EasY Flasks to rinse the cells as a major design improvement. In her experience using the filter-capped EasY Flasks to culture numerous cell lines, additional features also appealed to Jauron-Mills. For example, the volume markings printed in blue on the sides of the EasY Flasks were easier to read than the markings on conventional flasks. The use of a maximum media fill line was also handy when processing multiple flasks. Because she handles so many flasks, Jauron-Mills stated that avoiding several twists for each cap really adds up over the course of a day, particularly when all the manipulations take place in a culture hood. With the EasY Flask, performing only a single turn for each cap is easier and more efficient. Product Manager Kelly stated that the EasY Flask was designed for just such applications, not only for "easy" access but to provide a superior culture flask to those scientists who maintain multiple flasks of cells on a daily basis. Nalge Nunc International is the only cultureware company to provide a certificate with each case of flasks, providing a level of confidence in the consistent biological performance of the product. "Scientists using the EasY Flask have already been inquiring about the possibility of adding a NUNC™ Brand 175 cm2 flask to the product line," said Kelly. For more information , please contact Nalge Nunc International at 800-625-4327, or visit the company web site at www.nalgenunc.com. The author, Linda Raab, can be cantacted at raabx004@maroon.tc.umn.edu.

Easy as Y

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