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What are the advantages and disadvantages of serum-free media in cell culture?
Posted July 22, 2020
Cell CultureCell Cycle AnalysisCell Cycle AssaysCell Cycle and ProliferationCell culture contamination
Answer
The main advantages of using serum-free media are:
- Increased definition and more reproducible formulations, allowing for more convincing and consistent research results.
- Easier purification and downstream processing.
- Lower risk of contamination with bacteria, fungi or virus.
- Elimination of time-consuming batch tests.
However, there are also some drawbacks for serum-free media:
- Requirement for cell type-specific media formulation.
- High demand for reagent purity.
- Slower growth rate.
Additional resources
Cell Proliferation AssaysAssay development servicesBerg, J. M., Tymoczko, J. L., & Stryer, L. (2008). Biochemistry (Loose-Leaf). Macmillan.Yao, T., & Asayama, Y. (2017). Animal?cell culture media: History, characteristics, and current issues. Reproductive medicine and biology, 16(2), 99-117.Butler, M. (2004). Animal cell culture and technology. Taylor & Francis.