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AAT Bioquest

What are the optimal growth conditions for mammalian cell culture?

Posted November 6, 2023


Answer

The optimal growth conditions for mammalian cell culture is a dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration of 20% saturation or greater, 5% CO2 concentration to maintain a pH of 7.4, and temperature of 37°C. In addition to these factors, there should be sufficient nutrients, vitamins, hormones, amino acids, and inorganic salts in the cell culture as well. Hormones may be added to promote cell growth and proliferation. Inorganic salts, such as sodium and potassium, can be added to the media, which assist in regulating osmotic pressure and provide nourishment. Amino acids are vital for cell media due to their ability to grow and maintain cells. Vitamins are added to regulate proliferation and assist in cellular growth as well. Serum is the source of many vitamins in serum-containing media. Glucose is a crucial source of energy in cell culture, as it has the ability to cross the membrane through facilitated diffusion and transport proteins. Glucose is typically used at a concentration of 5.5 mM in cell culture media, as this concentration is close to equal to the glucose levels in blood. Antibiotics may also be added to cell culture to inhibit bacterial and fungal growth. 

Additional resources

Comparison of the optimal culture conditions for cell growth and tissue plasminogen activator production by human embryo lung cells on microcarriers

Cell Proliferation Assays

Bucculite™ FdU Cu-Free Cell Proliferation Fluorescence Imaging Kit *Green Fluorescence*