Cell culture media

The culture medium is the most important component of the culture environment because it not only provides the necessary nutrients, growth factors, and hormones for cell growth but also regulates the pH and the osmotic pressure of the culture. The three basic classes of media are basal media, reduced-serum media, and serum-free media, which differ in their requirement for supplementation with serum.

Basal medium

Most cell lines grow well in basal media, which contain a carbon source such as glucose, vitamins, inorganic salts, and amino acids. One of these amino acids is L-glutamine, which plays an important role in the Krebs cycle. The use of these basal media formulations must be further supplemented with serum and after its use must be stored at 4 °C four degrees celsius to avoid degradation of L-glutamine.

Serum

Serum is the primary source of growth and adhesion factors, hormones, lipids and minerals for the culture of cells in basal media. In addition, serum also regulates cell membrane permeability and serves as a carrier for lipids, enzymes, micronutrients and trace elements into the cell. The best way to store serum is at -20 °C. However, to avoid too many freeze/thaw cycles that could compromise the viability of its components it is recommended to store it in aliquots. minus twenty degrees celsius. However, to avoid too many freeze thaw cycles that could compromise the viability of its components it is recommended to store it in aliquots.

Complete culture medium

The mixture of basal medium plus serum is called complete culture medium, because it provides all the necessary components for cell survival and proliferation. After its use, complete media should be stored in the fridge to preserve the integrity of all components.

Conditioned medium

Cell culture medium that has already been partially used by cells. Although depleted of some components, it is enriched with cell derived material, probably including small amounts of growth factors. Such a cell conditioned medium will support the growth of cells at a much lower density and, mixed with some fresh medium, is very useful in cloning.