Types of serum-free media

PRELIMINARY PROCEDURE TYPES OF SERUM-FREE MEDIA 

There are three categories of serum-free media totally protein free, those containing complex serum substitutes and those containing defined proteins and other additives. 

Cell lines differ in the defined proteins they require for optimal cell growth. Usually, addition of insulin (I) and transferrin (T), along with the trace element selenium (S), is sufficient to enable most cell lines to grow in rich balanced nutrient media, such as the ones listed above. However, several categories of additives may enhance or be required for cell growth and/or production of the desired 

Hormones - insulin, steroids, pituitary hormones, peptide growth factors, etc. 

Binding proteins - albumin, fetuin, peptide hormones, etc. 

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Transfer a portion of the cells to 2% serum. At this serum level it is harder for the cells to adapt. If the cells do not grow, try transferring a new aliquot of cells from 5% to 4% or 3% serum and/or try adding defined supplements (e.g. insulin). For more information on medium supplements, refer back to Types of serum-free media . At each step, when the cells have become adapted, freeze some of the cells. Freeze a larger stock of vials when the cells are adapted to 2% serum. Should problems arise later on, this is a good point to return to. 

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