Versene Solution is a mild, ready-to-use, non-enzymatic cell dissociation reagent. Its main component is 0.02% EDTA·Na₄ (tetrasodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate), equivalent to 0.48 mM, prepared in calcium- and magnesium-free phosphate-buffered saline (PBS).
This product is animal-origin-free and phenol-red-free, with a chemically defined formulation and high batch-to-batch consistency. It is suitable for experimental systems that require stringent standards for biological safety and compositional clarity.
Mechanism of Action
EDTA is a metal ion chelator that specifically chelates divalent cations such as Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺. Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ are essential factors for maintaining cell-cell adhesion. By competitively binding these ions, EDTA disrupts intercellular junctions, promoting the dissociation of adherent cells into single-cell suspensions.
Product Features
• Gentle action: Does not damage cell surface proteins, making it particularly suitable for downstream applications that require intact membrane proteins.
• Easy to use: Ready-to-use solution, no preparation required, low cytotoxicity.
• Good compatibility: Can be used in combination with trypsin at appropriate ratios, or as a pre-wash solution prior to enzymatic digestion.
• Safe composition: Free of animal-derived components and phenol red, minimizing experimental variables.
Applications
Versene Solution is suitable for gentle dissociation of mammalian cells, particularly in research scenarios that require preservation of intact cell surface proteins, including but not limited to:
• Cell surface receptor assays
• Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS)
• Immunofluorescence staining (IF)
• Immunohistochemistry (IHC)
This product can also be used for:
• Pre-washing cells prior to trypsin treatment
• Combination with trypsin at appropriate ratios to modulate digestion intensity
Suitable Cell Types
Suitable for weakly adherent cell lines (e.g., 293T, KATO Ⅲ).
Not recommended for routine subculture of strongly adherent cell lines with tight intercellular junctions (e.g., HeLa, MDA-MB-231).
Protocol
1. Pre-warm an appropriate volume of Versene Solution at 37℃.
2. Aspirate culture medium, and wash the cell monolayer twice with sterile PBS or D-PBS without Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺.
3. Add appropriate volume of Versene Solution (typically 1.5 mL for every 25 cm² culture area). Incubate at room temperature for 2–20 min; gently rock the dish or flask occasionally.
Note: Optimal incubation time varies between cell types. For tightly adherent cells, extend incubation time or increase the volume of Versene Solution.
4. Observe cells under microscope: cells show obvious rounding, and visible morphological changes can be seen at the bottom of culture vessel. Alternatively, test by gentle pipetting; proceed when cells can just be dislodged. Aspirate Versene Solution at this stage. Add PBS or D-PBS, pipette to harvest cells, centrifuge at 1000×g for 1 min, then resuspend cell pellet with culture medium for subsequent experiments.
5. If dissociation is insufficient, add Versene Solution and repeat incubation.
6. If cells have been incubated for excessive dissociation time, gently pipette to harvest all cells directly. Centrifuge at 1000–2000×g for 1 min to pellet cells. Remove Versene Solution as thoroughly as possible, wash the cell pellet once with PBS, and resuspend cells in serum-supplemented complete culture medium for subsequent experiments.
Precautions
1. This product is sterile filtered and contains no preservatives. Strict aseptic operation is required during use to prevent contamination.
2. This product features mild dissociation performance and is not recommended for routine passaging of strongly adherent cell lines.
3. Due to differences among cell types, operators shall optimize the incubation time empirically. Over-digestion will impair cell adhesion and proliferation.
4. EDTA cannot be neutralized by culture medium. Harvested cells should be washed once with PBS to avoid poor cell attachment.
5. This product is for research use only by qualified professionals. It must not be applied for clinical diagnosis or therapy, must not be used in food or pharmaceutical production, and should not be stored in residential premises.
6. Wear a lab coat and disposable gloves for safe handling.
