Shipping live cells

[melalvai]

Does anyone have experience shipping live cells? I read that this can be done easily by just filling the flask full of media, and that the cells will be fine for 3-4 days. When the arrive, draw off the media and feed with the usual amount of media.

On our first attempt, the cells arrived just fine, but they became contaminated. The cells at home are fine, the other cells at the destination are fine, the media is not contaminated, so I conclude that shipping caused them to be contaminated.

My first thought is to put the flask into an additional sterile container. Maybe wrap the cap in parafilm (though parafilm isn't sterile). Any other thoughts?

[celartia]

If you want to eliminate any possible contamination, use less media & have the option of being able to keep the cells for weeks rather than days, then look at the Petaka Cell Culture Device. The manufacturer is Celartia

[Richard Cowart]

When I ship cells they are taken from either the -80 C freezer, or liquid N2 storage and placed in a styrofoam shipping container with dry ice. Assuming your cells were properly prepped for long term storage, i.e., with glycerin or DMSO, they should be fine. I have never shipped, or received cells that are in a flask. Why not just ship a frozen vial?