The main difference between cell culture treated plates and non-cell culture treated plates lies in the surface properties of the plates, which affect cell attachment, growth, and behavior. Here’s a breakdown of the differences:

Cell Culture Treated Plates: Cell culture treated plates are specially designed and treated to enhance cell attachment and growth. They typically have a hydrophilic surface that promotes the formation of a thin, even layer of liquid on the surface, allowing cells to adhere and spread more easily. The treatment involves the application of various coatings, such as extracellular matrix proteins (e.g., collagen, fibronectin) or synthetic polymers, to facilitate cell adhesion. Key features of cell culture treated plates include:

  1. Hydrophilic surface: The surface of cell culture treated plates attracts and retains water, which helps cells adhere and spread.
  2. Enhanced cell attachment: The coatings on cell culture treated plates provide a favorable environment for cells to attach and grow.
  3. Better cell spreading and proliferation: The surface properties of cell culture treated plates support the spreading and proliferation of cells, allowing them to form monolayers and grow more effectively.
  4. Suitable for adherent cell cultures: These plates are commonly used for culturing adherent cells that require attachment to a surface for growth, such as fibroblasts or epithelial cells.

Non-Cell Culture Treated Plates: Non-cell culture treated plates, also known as tissue culture plates or non-treated plates, lack the specialized surface treatment found in cell culture treated plates. They typically have a hydrophobic surface, which can cause water to bead up rather than spread evenly. Key features of non-cell culture treated plates include:

  1. Hydrophobic surface: The surface of non-cell culture treated plates repels water and does not support the formation of an even liquid layer.
  2. Limited cell attachment: The hydrophobic surface makes it challenging for cells to attach and spread, resulting in poor cell adhesion.
  3. Suitable for suspension cell cultures: Non-cell culture treated plates are often used for growing suspension cells, such as lymphocytes or certain types of stem cells, that do not require attachment to a surface for growth.

It’s important to note that the specific requirements for cell culture can vary depending on the cell type and experimental objectives. In general, if you are culturing adherent cells, it is recommended to use cell culture treated plates to ensure optimal cell attachment, growth, and experimental outcomes.