Popis: |
Complex nutrient mixtures, which are usually called "media," are almost always supplemented with serum, with another complex biological fluid (e.g., milk, embryo extracts, and plasma), or with a defined mixture of hormones and growth factors. The choice of medium and supplements can have a major impact on the growth, function, and even phenotypic and genetic stability of cells in vitro. This choice thus becomes an important part of developing a useful and meaningful in vitro model system. This chapter defines the various roles that the medium plays in supporting cell function and outlines a method for selecting and optimizing medium in growing the cell of choice. |