Product Description
LIGHT LABS is proud to offer Mediatech CellStripper™ Non-Enzymatic Cell Dissociation Solution (Cat # 25-056-CI) — the premier gentle, non-enzymatic alternative to trypsin for detachment of adherent mammalian cells from tissue culture surfaces. CellStripper™ is formulated with a proprietary mixture of chelating agents that gently dislodge adherent cells from tissue culture vessels without the risk of cell surface protein damage, receptor cleavage, or other harmful effects associated with proteolytic enzyme-based dissociation reagents such as trypsin-EDTA (25-053-CI).
The critical distinction between CellStripper™ and trypsin-based dissociation is the mechanism of cell detachment. Trypsin works by enzymatically cleaving cell surface proteins — including adhesion molecules, growth factor receptors, and other functional surface proteins — that anchor cells to the tissue culture substrate. While effective, this enzymatic cleavage is inherently destructive to cell surface integrity, and extended trypsin exposure can significantly damage cells, reducing viability and altering cell surface marker expression in ways that compromise downstream applications. CellStripper™ instead uses chelating agents to sequester the divalent cations (Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺) that mediate cell-to-substrate and cell-to-cell adhesion — gently disrupting these ionic bonds without any enzymatic protein cleavage. Because CellStripper™ does not digest proteins, cells can be exposed to it for extended periods without the risk of damage associated with trypsin — making it ideal for difficult-to-detach cell types that require longer incubation times and for applications where preservation of cell surface markers and receptors is critical.
CellStripper™ is compatible with both serum-free and serum-supplemented media — unlike trypsin, which is inhibited by serum and requires thorough washing before use in serum-containing media. This eliminates a washing step from the dissociation protocol in serum-supplemented culture systems. Pre-warm to 37°C before use to reduce cell shock from temperature differences. Storage: 2°C to 30°C (ambient or refrigerator — NO freezing required) — a significant practical advantage over frozen trypsin-EDTA. LIGHT LABS is your trusted source for Mediatech cell culture reagents.
KEY FEATURES
- Non-enzymatic cell dissociation — proprietary chelator mixture gently dislodges adherent cells without enzymatic protein cleavage; preserves cell surface proteins, receptors, and markers
- Exceptionally gentle — cells can be exposed for extended periods without risk of damage; ideal for difficult-to-detach cell types requiring longer incubation
- Trypsin alternative — achieves superior results vs. enzymatic dissociation for applications where cell surface integrity must be preserved
- No enzyme-mediated receptor cleavage — preserves growth factor receptors, adhesion molecules, and other functionally important cell surface proteins for downstream applications
- Compatible with serum-free AND serum-supplemented media — no serum inhibition unlike trypsin; eliminates the pre-wash step required when switching from serum-supplemented to trypsin-containing buffer
- Protocol: pre-warm to 37°C; aspirate media; add CellStripper™; incubate at 37°C; observe cells detaching; quench with media
- Storage: 2°C to 30°C — ambient or refrigerator storage; NO freezing required; major practical advantage over frozen trypsin-EDTA solutions
- Complete Certificate of Analysis available for each production lot
- Manufactured under ISO 13485 certified quality management system
- 100 mL bottles; 6 bottles per case
SPECIFICATIONS
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Catalog Number | 25-056-CI |
| Brand | Mediatech |
| Product Name | CellStripper™ Non-Enzymatic Cell Dissociation Solution |
| Dissociation Mechanism | Non-enzymatic — proprietary chelator mixture |
| Enzymatic | No — enzyme-free formulation |
| Trypsin Content | None |
| EDTA Content | None (proprietary chelators) |
| Media Compatibility | Serum-free AND serum-supplemented media |
| Extended Exposure | Yes — safe for extended incubation without damage risk |
| Pre-Warm Recommendation | 37°C before use |
| Format | Liquid, sterile, ready-to-use |
| Quality System | ISO 13485 certified |
| Certificate of Analysis | Yes — lot-specific CoA available |
| Volume | 100 mL per bottle |
| Packaging | 6 bottles per case |
| Storage Temperature | 2°C to 30°C (ambient or refrigerator — NO freezing required) |
CELLSTRIPPER™ vs. TRYPSIN-EDTA — KEY DIFFERENCES
| Feature | CellStripper™ (25-056-CI) | Trypsin-EDTA 1X (25-053-CI) |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanism | Non-enzymatic chelation | Enzymatic proteolysis |
| Cell Surface Protein Impact | Preserved — no cleavage | Cleaved — receptors damaged |
| Extended Exposure Risk | None — safe for longer incubation | High — cell damage with over-trypsinization |
| Serum Compatibility | Yes — serum-free AND serum media | No — inhibited by serum; pre-wash required |
| Incubation Flexibility | High — no time pressure | Low — must monitor closely |
| Storage | 2°C to 30°C (ambient) | -25°C to -15°C (frozen) |
| Best For | Flow cytometry; receptor studies; sensitive cells | Routine passaging of most adherent cell lines |
WHEN TO CHOOSE CELLSTRIPPER™ vs. TRYPSIN-EDTA
| Application | CellStripper™ | Trypsin-EDTA |
|---|---|---|
| Flow cytometry requiring intact surface markers | ✓ Strongly preferred | ✗ Damages surface markers |
| Receptor binding and signaling studies | ✓ Required — preserves receptors | ✗ Cleaves receptors |
| Serum-supplemented media — no pre-wash step | ✓ Compatible | ✗ Requires pre-wash |
| Difficult-to-detach cells requiring extended incubation | ✓ Preferred — safe for extended exposure | ✗ Risk of over-trypsinization |
| Sensitive primary cells | ✓ Preferred — gentler | ✓ Also used with care |
| Routine high-volume passaging of robust cell lines | ✓ Suitable | ✓ Preferred — faster, more economical |
PROTOCOL OVERVIEW
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Pre-warm CellStripper™ to 37°C |
| 2 | Aspirate cell culture media from vessel |
| 3 | Rinse with PBS or HBSS (optional but recommended) |
| 4 | Add pre-warmed CellStripper™ to cover cell monolayer |
| 5 | Incubate at 37°C; observe cells loosening and rounding |
| 6 | Gently tap vessel to complete detachment |
| 7 | Quench with cell culture media; collect cells |
APPLICATIONS
- Flow cytometry sample preparation requiring preservation of cell surface markers and receptors
- Cell-based assays where surface receptor integrity is critical (receptor binding, signaling, FACS phenotyping)
- Passaging of sensitive primary cell cultures where enzymatic damage must be minimized
- Dissociation of difficult-to-detach cell types requiring extended incubation times
- Cell culture in serum-supplemented media where the serum pre-wash step of trypsin protocols is inconvenient
- Any adherent mammalian cell culture application requiring a gentle, non-enzymatic alternative to trypsin
ORDERING INFORMATION — MEDIATECH CELL DISSOCIATION REAGENTS
| Cat # | Description | Mechanism | Storage | Volume | Pkg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25-056-CI | CellStripper™ Non-Enzymatic Cell Dissociation Solution | Non-enzymatic chelators | 2°C to 30°C | 100 mL | 6/case |
| 25-053-CI | Trypsin-EDTA 1X (0.25% Trypsin/2.21 mM EDTA) | Enzymatic | -25°C to -15°C | 100 mL | 6/case |
| 25-052-CI | Trypsin-EDTA 1X (0.05% Trypsin/0.53 mM EDTA) | Enzymatic (gentle) | -25°C to -15°C | 100 mL | 6/case |
| 25-054-CI | Trypsin 10X (2.5% in HBSS) | Enzymatic (concentrate) | -25°C to -15°C | 100 mL | 6/case |
| 21-031-CV | DPBS 1X Without Calcium & Magnesium (pre-wash) | — | 2°C to 30°C | 500 mL | 6/case |
| 21-040-CV | PBS 1X Without Calcium & Magnesium (pre-wash) | — | 2°C to 30°C | 500 mL | 6/case |
