Abstract: A culture dish for use in in vitro cell manipulation has an outer rim encompassing, and at right angles to, the periphery of the working surface. A parallel inner wall, spaced from the outer rim, forms a trough along the periphery of the dish. Preferably the outer rim is higher than the inner wall to permit liquid contents to flow into, and be retained within, the trough. Cell indices are etched into the working surface to identify the cell location. Although the dish can be solid or translucent, in most applications the working surface is transparent. The cell indicators can optionally be etched into the bottom side of the working surface to maintain a smooth top surface. A working circle, with a periphery smaller than the inner wall, is inset into the surface of the working surface. Alternatively, the circle can be etched into either the top or bottom side of the surface. A lid can be used in conjunction with the culture dish for storage purposes.

Abstract: A closure cap for protecting a capillary tube incorporates a hollow body member is dimensioned to fit within a container. The container and closure cap are used in shipping micropipets in a impact absorbing, sterile environment. An elongated tube retaining portion is centrally positioned within the hollow body member and extends at least a substantial portion of the length of the body. The tube retaining portion has a centrally disposed channel with at least one open end for receiving and retaining a tube in a friction fit. The air tight seal allows for sterility. A plurality of radially extending, equally spaced, retaining webs connect the tube retaining portion and the body along at least a major portion of the length of the tube retaining portion. The closure cap is air impermeable, flexible and formed of an inert material which is heat and radiation resistant.