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Your results will vary by cell line.  Some cells withstand the -80  
storage better than others.  In general -80 is not good for primary  
cells, although I think some very proliferative cells can take it.   
Also consider that viability isn't the only problem.  If your  
recovery rate is very low you increase the chances of establishing a  
cell line that is phenotypically distinct from the original.  You see  
this a lot with PC12 cells.  If you have no choice I'd wager that the  
quality of the freezing could improve your recovery even if you are  
storing at -80.  Try one of the devices for slowly freezing vials.   
Corning and fisher sell a slow freezing cooler that you put in the  
-80 to achieve a gradual cool down.





On Apr 20, 2007, at 1:50 PM, Prabhakar Pandian wrote:

> Search the CONFOCAL archive at
> http://listserv.acsu.buffalo.edu/cgi-bin/wa?S1=confocal
>
> Hello,
>       Can anyone tell me how long one can store mammalian cells in  
> a -80
> freezer without the use of liquid nitrogen.
>
> We are looking for a short term storage (3-6 months) for continuous  
> use of
> primary cells and cells lines, but don't have access to liquid  
> nitrogen
> storage. Hence this solution of freezing batches in  -80 freezer.
>
> Also does it make a difference using whether a -80 or a -86 freezer.
>
>
> Thanks,
>
> -Prabhakar
>