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Shall we thaw fast or slow? - (Aug/11/2006 )

I just had a discussion with a colleague of mine whether we should thaw the frozen cells/tissue/cell lysate/mitochondria on ice at 4C (slow) or at room temp or at 37C (fast)??? plase comment. thanks in advance!!!!

-garg-

as fast as it can be.

-genehunter-1-

i used to do it at 4C

-dodosko-

I've always heard that it is at 37C (thaw it as fast as possible). My understanding is that you freeze slowly and thaw very quickly.

-jamie419-

As fast as possible. Keep it in the 37C water bath.

-scolix-

thanks all!
thats what I heard freeze slow and thaw quickly....
but what about the cell lysate or sample for SDS-PAGE... won't there be protein degradation at 37C.... though offcourse its in homogenizing buffer with protease inhibitor cocktail????

-garg-

There will b degradation as long as u r thawing except it will b less if done faster.

-scolix-

Cells, DMSO is toxic.. thaw as fast as possible.
Protein extracts.. I thaw them on ice or in my fingers if am in a hurry
primers, DNA, plasmids.. in my fingers usually although I have a friend that thaw her primers the whole morning on ice... I wouldnt have that patiance for just a PCR

-tertu-

I agree with Tertu,

for cells : thaw fast , to get rid of DMSO as fast as possible.

for others : as you want, but don't forget them on the bench. (that's why I either thaw in my hands, or on ice)

-Missele-