cheaper replacement for FBS

[Mary]

Hi guys,

i grow lymphocytes in cell culture using RPMI 1640 with 10% FBS or some people call it FCS. Due to massive increases in the price of FBS, i was wondering if anybody uses a cheaper alternative. Eg horse serum or calf serum? If so what percentage do you add to the culture medium? I am also interested in FBS expanders ie cheap substances that i can add to FBS to use less of it.

FBS cost are becoming a real proble in cell culture, i am sure i am not the only one having issues?

thanks all.

Mary

[tracey]

Mary

this most definetly worries me too! Our tissue culture costs have sky rocketed in the last two years. I havent trialled horse serum, and would be interested to give it a go.

Currently our labs are using BMGS (Bonemarrow growth supplement) to extend our supplies of precious FCS.

BMGS is a growth supplement used in cytogenetic studies on bone marrow samples supplied by United Biosciences.  We add a 50:50 mix of BMGS and FCS. It halved our outlays by extending the supply of FCS. We had to do a series of experiments to get the ratio correct, but the 50:50 mix is working great for our general cultures.

For our lymphocyte/fibroblast culture we are doing the same using their LGS supplement which is a growth supplement for lymphocytes. We grow T-Cells using the 50:50 mix. Another thing we have done is halving our antibiotic use, so far no major contamination issues....

hope this helps guys?

[thomas]

1. Hi Tracey,

the BMGS you mention is sourced from United Biosciences his is their link:

https://www.unitedbiosciences.com.au/product/bone-marrow-growth-supplement/ 

 Or is there another vendor?