F12K Cell Culture Media

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A cell is the smallest unit of life. All living things are made up of either single or multiple cells. Single, or prokaryotic, cells are found in simple organisms such as bacteria, while multiple, or eukaryotic, cells are often found in complex organisms such as animals.

Since the mid 1900s, science has enabled cells to be grown under controlled conditions in a laboratory. This process is known as cell culture. While any cell can be cultured in a lab, the term “cell culture” specifically refers to the culturing of animal cells. The culturing of animal cells is vital for the manufacturing of viral vaccines and many other biotechnology products. In fact, one of the earliest mass-produced products that stemmed from cell culture science was the polio vaccine developed by Jonas Salk, who was awarded a Nobel Prize for discovering how to grow the polio virus in cell cultures taken from a monkey’s kidney.

Cells can be separated from animal tissues and cultured in a number of ways. They can be filtered out of blood, but only the white cells of the immune system can be grown. Some enzymes, or proteins, such as collagenase, trypsin or pronase, can break down the structural part of the animal cells. Alternatively, a liquid or gel substance designed to sustain tissue growth, called growth media, can support cells nutritionally and hormonally until they are ready to be cultured.

Scientists grow cells in specifically controlled environments. The cultures are kept at appropriate temperatures (usually 37 degrees Celsius) and mixed with specific gases (5 percent carbon dioxide for animal cells). In addition, the cells are grown in a cell incubator, or insulated container. By experimenting with the culture environment and conditions of each cell type, scientists can study a variety of outcomes.

Another important factor in the culture of cells is the growth medium. There are two major types of growth media – natural and artificial. Scientists choose their medium based on the type of cells to be cultured and the objective of the culture. Scientists can experiment with pH (acid level), concentration of glucose, presence of other nutrients as well as growth factors, which are natural substances that stimulate cells, like a protein or steroid. The growth factors used to enhance growth media are often drawn from animal blood, which poses a risk for contamination from viruses or other infection. Therefore, scientists will always attempt to limit or eliminate these natural growth factors or choose to use animal blood from lower risk areas, such as Australia and New Zealand, but it is not always possible. Another alternative is for scientists to use an artificially purified nutrient concentrate for their cell cultures.

One such concentrated mixture, formulated by R.G.Ham and called F-12, has higher levels of amino acids, vitamins and other trace elements. The medium was originally created to support the growth of a broad spectrum of cells, particularly clones of the Chinese hamster ovary cells. Ham’s F-12 was designed for use with or without additional supplements, which can be added depending on the type of cell being cultured. Today, Ham’s F-12 is regularly used to grow a wide variety of animal and human cells, and is considered the best medium for culturing rodent cells. It is also preferred by scientists as a cloning medium for specific cancer cells called myeloma and hybridoma as well as in a host of other culturing experiments.

A modification of Ham’s F-12, called F-12K, in tribute to M. Edward Kaighn who adapted Ham’s already effective growth factor, contains double the concentration of amino acids and increased sodium pyruvate (energy source) and salts. F-12K is designed to sustain separate rat and chicken cell types as well as human liver cells, called hepatocytes.

Resource by F.Rosseti

I am a teacher in Michigan. I grew up in Florida and have lived here in MI for close to 15 years. I enjoy writing and skiing in my spare time.

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