Fetal Bovine Sera, Research Grade, Sterile Filtered, Heat Inactivated , USDA Approved

Fetal bovine serum (FBS) is a ubiquitously used essential supplement in cell culture media. FBS is a cocktail of proteins, vitamins, carbohydrates, lipids, hormones, growth factors, minerals and trace elements and is used as an universal growth supplement effective for most types of human and animal (including insect) cells. The major functions of serum in culture media are to provide: i. Hormonal factors stimulating cell growth and proliferation and promoting differentiated functions. ii. Transport proteins carrying hormones (e.g. transcortin), minerals and trace elements and lipids (e.g. lipoproteins) iii. Attachment and spreading factors, acting as germination points for cell attachment. iv. Stabilizing and detoxifying factors needed to maintain pH or to inhibit proteases either directly, such as αantitrypsin or α2-macroglobulin, or indirectly, by acting as an unspecific sink for proteases and other (toxic) molecules. RM10681 is heat inactivated fetal bovine serum. Heat inactivation is done to destroy heat labile components such as complement that can lead to complement mediated cell lysis. Complement proteins, antibodies and enzymes present in the serum are inactivated by heat inactivation.