Open Source DIY media for Cell Culture
Open Source DIY media for Cell Culture using simple ingredients.
CELL BIOLOGYDIY GUIDESGENERAL BIOTECHNOLOGY
Cameron
8/12/20251 min read
In the world of tissue culture with mammalian cells, nothing restricts citizen scientists more than cost. One of the primary drivers of cost in cell culture is FBS, or fetal bovine serum. It is needed to cultivate mammalian cells, because it contains many essential growth factors. However, the cost of FBS is extremely high, and price can fluctuate based on availability. Furthermore, FBS may contain contaminants such as prions and other unwanted proteins. A group of scientists at the Shojin Meat Project (links below) have experimented with growing mammalian cells with DIY growth medium composed of cheap, readily available ingredients. FBS is harder to replace, but the Shojin meat project has found some success growing cells with egg yolk and nutritional yeast. Although we do not focus on lab grown meat, the prospect of replacing FBS and DNEM with cheaper alternatives is a interesting prospect that can drive costs down and lead to more innovation in the field.