Common media and characteristics of cells - Database & Sql Blog Articles

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1. RPMI-1640 Medium

RPMI-1640 is one of the most commonly used cell culture media, especially for mammalian cells. It is particularly effective for culturing suspension cells such as hematopoietic cells, leukocytes, and hybridoma cells. This medium supports a wide range of cell types including lymphocytes, T-cell lymphomas, and epithelial cells like K-562, HL-60, Jurkat, Daudi, and IM-9. Its balanced composition makes it ideal for various in vitro studies.

2. Minimum Essential Medium (MEM)

MEM is known for its minimalistic formulation, containing only 12 essential amino acids, glutamine, and 8 vitamins. It's widely used for cultivating different types of mammalian cells. MEM-Alpha is often preferred for difficult-to-culture cell lines, while standard MEM works well for most cell cultures. It’s a flexible choice for both adherent and suspension cells.

3. DMEM-high sugar (standard type)

DMEM with high glucose is suitable for high-density suspension cell cultures and clonal growth where cells need to stay in their original location. It is also used for myeloma cells and DNA-transfected hybridoma cells. The higher glucose content supports rapid cell proliferation, making it a popular choice for many cell culture applications.

4. DMEM-low sugar (standard type)

This version of DMEM has lower glucose levels, making it more appropriate for adherent cells or tumor cells that grow quickly but have poor adhesion. It provides a stable environment for cells that require less energy input, offering a good balance between nutrient availability and metabolic demand.

5. DMEM/F12

DMEM/F12 is a combination of two media, providing a rich mix of nutrients and trace elements. It is ideal for low-serum conditions and is often used as a base for serum-free formulations. Adding HEPES enhances its buffering capacity, making it suitable for long-term cell culture and sensitive cell lines.

6. McCoy’s 5A

McCoy’s 5A was designed primarily for sarcoma cell culture and supports the growth of various primary tissues such as bone marrow, skin, lungs, and spleen. It is also useful for culturing lymphocytes and certain hard-to-culture cells like Jensen rat fibroblasts and HT-29 epithelial cells.

7. Iscove’s Modified Dulbecco Medium (IMDM)

IMDM is enriched with additional amino acids, vitamins, selenium, and HEPES, making it ideal for growing red blood cells, macrophages, and B cells. It supports the proliferation of mouse and human immune cells, as well as lymphoma cells. Its high nutrient content makes it a good choice for fast-growing cell lines.

8. M-199 Medium

Developed by Morgan in the 1950s, M-199 is mainly used for chicken embryo fibroblasts. It requires serum supplementation for long-term culture and is versatile for use across multiple species and transfected cell lines.

9. Leibovitz Medium (L-15)

L-15 is ideal for culturing rapidly dividing tumor cells without COâ‚‚. It uses a phosphate buffer system and contains improved amino acid profiles. By replacing glucose with galactose, it supports cells that prefer alternative energy sources.

10. Ham’s F-10 Medium

Ham’s F-10 is tailored for mouse and human diploid cells. It supports a variety of cell types and is often used in serum-free or low-serum conditions.

11. Ham’s F-12 Medium

F-12 is a foundational medium for serum-free cultures, especially for single-cell cloning. It is highly adaptable and widely used in advanced cell culture techniques.

12. William’s Medium E

William’s E is specifically formulated for long-term culture of rat liver epithelial cells. It supports hepatocyte function and is often used in drug metabolism studies.

13. MCDB 131 Medium

MCDB 131 is designed for endothelial cell cultures. It provides the necessary nutrients and growth factors for maintaining these specialized cells in vitro.

14. Opti-MEM I Reduced Serum Media

Opti-MEM is ideal for hematopoietic cell culture, especially when working with reduced serum concentrations. It maintains cell viability and supports efficient transfection protocols.

15. Phytohemagglutinin (PHA)

PHA is a mitogen that stimulates cell transformation and enhances DNA synthesis. It is commonly used in immunological studies and cell activation experiments.