Using glass Lab-Tek Chamber Slide Products, why do cells grow in lines and how can this be prevented?
Cells may grow in lines on glass Lab-Tek products if cells are stressed, plated at very low densities and are poorly adherent. Most cell lines have a minimal plating density below which normal cell proliferation can not occur. This should be avoided. Cells may be stressed by media substitution, especially to serum-free formulations, or other changes to the culture environment such as in temperature, humidity and CO2 percentage. If possible, always plate cells in serum-containing medium. Switching cells to a serum-free media should be done gradually. Treatments of cells that may reduce adhesion should not be done immediately after plating but after the cells have resumed exponential growth.
