Understanding Serum: Essential Knowledge for Cell Culture
News 19 3 月, 2025
Serum has been an essential component of culture media since the 1950s, providing key nutrients for cell growth. Despite decades of research, its complex composition is still not fully understood. The quality and composition of serum can vary based on animal age, sex, and physiological conditions.
Types of Serum
Serum is classified into several types, with bovine serum being the most commonly used:
- Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS): Collected from healthy, unborn calves via cesarean section; contains minimal antibodies and complements, making it the highest quality.
- Newborn Bovine Serum (NBS): Sourced from calves within 14 hours of birth before they have consumed food.
- Calf Serum: Derived from healthy calves under six months old.
- Adult Bovine Serum: Collected from mature, healthy cattle.
Storage Guidelines
For long-term preservation, store serum at -15°C to -20°C. If not using the entire bottle, aliquot into smaller portions before freezing to prevent repeated freeze-thaw cycles. Leave some space in the container before freezing to prevent breakage due to volume expansion.
Proper Thawing Process
- Overnight Thawing: Place serum at 2-8°C overnight for partial thawing.
- Room Temperature Thawing: Let it fully thaw at room temperature while gently mixing at intervals.
- Pre-Use Preparation: Before adding serum to experiments, warm it in a 37°C water bath. Avoid direct transfer from -15°C to 37°C, as rapid temperature shifts can cause protein aggregation and sedimentation.
Handling Precipitation
Occasional precipitation is normal due to protein denaturation. If needed, centrifuge the serum at 400g to separate sediments before use. Avoid filtering, as it may clog the membrane.
Conclusion
Serum plays a critical role in cell culture, providing essential nutrients for cell growth. Proper selection, storage, and handling are key to maintaining its quality and effectiveness.