Cell cryopreservation is a critical step in cell-based research and cell resource management. Low-temperature storage effectively slows cellular metabolic activity, enabling the long-term maintenance of cell viability and genetic stability. A well-designed cryopreservation system minimizes cellular damage during freezing and thawing, ensuring that cells maintain robust growth characteristics and experimental consistency after recovery, thereby providing a reliable foundation for downstream research.

Leveraging years of expertise in cell culture technologies and reagent development, Procell has developed a series of cell freezing media tailored to different cell types and research applications. These products have been validated through the cryopreservation and recovery of more than 2,000 cell lines and primary cells in the Procell in-house cell bank, consistently maintaining high post-thaw viability and providing reliable and efficient solutions for cell preservation.

View All Cell Freezing Media

Key Features

Broad Compatibility

Multiple types of freezing media are available to support the cryopreservation of a wide range of cell lines and primary cells.

Easy Operation

Non-programmable freezing media allow cells to be placed directly into a -80°C freezer without the need for controlled-rate freezing devices or freezing containers.

High Viability

Cells preserved with Procell freezing media typically exhibit post-thaw viability above 90%, with excellent batch-to-batch consistency.

Cell Freezing Media Selection Guide

Product Name	Cat. No.	Composition	Applications	Freezing Method
General Freezing Medium	PB180436	55% DMEM/F12+40% Nutrients+5% DMSO	Suitable for cryopreservation of various mammalian primary cells, established cell lines, and hybridoma cells	Controlled-rate freezing
Freezing Medium (Serum-free & animal origin-free)	PB180438	Contains DMSO; chemically defined; serum-free; animal protein-free	Suitable for routine cell lines, primary cells, serum-free cultured cells, and protein-expressing cells	Direct storage at -80°C
Primary Cell Cryopreservation Solution (SFC1)	PB180439		Suitable for primary cells such as mesenchymal stem cells, smooth muscle cells, fibroblasts, and chondrocytes from various tissues and species	Direct storage at -80°C

Cryopreservation Performance Validation

Suspension cells H22, adherent cells HCT-116, and primary rat renal tubular epithelial cells (rRTECs) were cryopreserved at a density of 1×10⁶ cells/mL using Procell Freezing Medium (Serum-free & animal origin-free) (Cat. No.: PB180438). After thawing, cells exhibited high viability and strong proliferation capacity at 48 h, with consistent cryopreservation performance across different cell types.

Three bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) from different species were cryopreserved using Procell Primary Cell Cryopreservation Solution (SFC1) (Cat. No.: PB180439). After one month of storage and subsequent thawing, cell viability exceeded 90%, and both cell activity and doubling capacity were superior to comparable products from other brands.

FAQs

Can cells frozen with serum-free non-programmable freezing medium be stored long-term in a -80°C freezer?
Answer
Yes, long-term storage at -80°C is possible provided that the freezer temperature remains stable. It is recommended to place cryovials toward the back of the freezer to minimize temperature fluctuations caused by frequent door opening. Temperature instability may negatively affect post-thaw cell viability. If available, transferring cryovials to liquid nitrogen storage is recommended for long-term preservation, as the more stable ultra-low temperature environment further improves storage stability and recovery performance.
When using General Freezing Medium, why do some frozen cell samples appear red while others appear pink? Will this affect viability after thawing?
Answer
Color differences such as red or pink may occasionally occur when using General Freezing Medium. This is typically related to factors such as cell density during freezing, formulation differences, or pH fluctuations caused by temperature changes. This phenomenon is relatively common in practice and does not necessarily affect post-thaw cell viability or cellular condition. It is recommended to follow standard thawing procedures and evaluate the recovery based on the actual post-thaw cell performance.
What post-thaw viability can be expected when using Primary Cell Cryopreservation Solution (SFC1)?
Answer
This freezing medium has been tested in multiple types of primary cells, including mesenchymal stem cells, smooth muscle cells, fibroblasts, and chondrocytes. Post-thaw viability typically exceeds 90%. As sensitivity to cryopreservation conditions may vary among different primary cell types, it is recommended to conduct a small-scale pilot test before large-scale cryopreservation to confirm post-thaw viability and cell status.
Which performs better, programmed-cooling or non-programmed cooling freezing media?
Answer
Both programmed-cooling and non-programmed cooling freezing media are suitable for cell cryopreservation. The key difference lies in the freezing procedure. Programmed-cooling freezing media require controlled-rate freezing devices or freezing containers to achieve gradual cooling, which is the traditional and well-established method. In contrast, non-programmed cooling freezing media allow cryovials to be placed directly into a -80°C freezer, offering a more convenient and efficient workflow. Additionally, serum-free formulations help minimize variability associated with serum batches. Researchers can choose the appropriate solution based on their experimental conditions and operational needs. If controlled-rate freezing equipment or freezing containers are not available, non-programmed cooling freezing media are recommended.