Fetal Bovine Serum, qualified, Australia - FAQs

Heating inactivates complement. Active complement can participate in cytolytic events, contract smooth muscle, release histamine from mast cells and platelets, and activate lymphocytic and macrophage cells. Applications where heat inactivated serum is recommended include immunological studies and culturing ES cells, insect cells, and smooth muscle cells.

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Heat at 56 degrees C in a water bath for 30 minutes. Swirl bottle every 10 minutes or so. For accuracy, use a second bottle of similar size and add the equivalent volume of water to this bottle. Place a thermometer in this control bottle in order to see when 56 degrees C is reached. Set your timer for 30 minutes at this point.

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Serum can be kept at 2-8 degrees C for up to 4 weeks.

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