The culture medium is a key element in the successful in vitro cultivation of eukaryotic cells, as it determines the availability of nutrients, growth factors and the physicochemical conditions necessary to maintain cell viability, proliferation, differentiation and functional activity.
A correctly selected and consistent culture medium is a critical factor in the reproducibility of experiments and the reliability of the results obtained.
The components of the culture medium provide the cells with:
- sources of energy (glucose, amino acids),
- essential amino acids and vitamins,
- ions and buffer systems to maintain physiological pH,
- growth factors and hormones (via serum or serum-free supplements), which allow the cells to replicate their behaviour within the body as closely as possible.