Cell Dissociation Buffers are membrane-filtered, isotonic, and enzyme-free aqueous formulations of salts, chelating agents, and cell-conditioning agents in either Ca2+- and Mg2+-free Hanks balanced salt solution or Ca2+- and Mg2+-free phosphate-buffered saline. They are suitable for gentle dissociation of mammalian cells from support substrates and each other, for studies requiring intact cell surface proteins such as ligand binding, flow cytometry, and immunohistochemistry (1,2). These buffers are not recommended for routine passage of strongly adherent cell types.
Performance and quality testing: Buffers are membrane filtered and mycoplasma tested. Cell integrity after dissociation with buffers is measured with a plating efficiency assay and a serotonin receptor function assay.