Reducing Cell Culture Costs By Reducing Serum Levels

摘要

Cell culture is a very important research tool today, but one that is also very expensive to use. A major component of that expense is fetal bovine serum (FBS), an often essential part of cell culture. Many researchers routinely supplement their culture media with 10—20% FBS for growing their cells; however, these levels may be higher than the cells require. By reducing FBS levels by 50% or more, researchers may be able to reduce costs considerably (Table 1). It should be noted that although many cell lines will do well at lower FBS levels, not all will.