Specific applications of cell culture medium powders in cell culture

一、Basic Research

1. Research on Cellular Biological Characteristics
   • When studying the basic physiological functions and characteristics of cells, such as the processes of cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis, researchers can use cell culture medium powder to prepare specific culture media according to the requirements of different cell types. Take nerve cells as an example. Nerve cells are difficult to culture and require precise control of the nutrients in the culture medium. By using cell culture medium powder, appropriate amounts of neurotrophic factors, specific amino acids, and suitable proportions of inorganic salts can be added to prepare a culture medium suitable for the growth of nerve cells, and then the developmental mechanisms, axon growth, and synapse formation of nerve cells can be studied.
   • When studying the signal transduction mechanisms of cells, a serum – free culture medium prepared with cell culture medium powder can eliminate the interference of complex components in serum on signal molecules. For example, when studying the intracellular signaling pathways after the activation of growth factor receptors, using a self – prepared serum – free culture medium allows for the precise addition of growth factors at known concentrations, enabling the observation of the phosphorylation status of intracellular signal molecules and the changes in downstream gene expression, thus gaining an in – depth understanding of cell signal transduction mechanisms.
2. Research on Gene Function
   • With the wide application of gene – editing technologies (such as CRISPR – Cas9), cell culture medium powder plays an important role in gene function research. After gene knockout or knock – in operations on cells, specific culture media are required to maintain cell survival and growth. For example, after gene editing of specific genes in mouse embryonic stem cells, a culture medium rich in factors maintaining stem cell pluripotency, such as leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), is prepared using cell culture medium powder, enabling the edited embryonic stem cells to remain undifferentiated, facilitating the study of the effects of gene editing on cell function and developmental potential.
   • When studying the spatio – temporal expression patterns of genes, culture media prepared with cell culture medium powder can be used to culture cells at different developmental stages. For example, when studying the role of specific genes in Drosophila development, culture media suitable for the growth of Drosophila cells at different developmental stages are prepared using powder. By observing cell phenotypes and gene expression at different time points, the spatio – temporal expression patterns and functions of genes during Drosophila development can be revealed.

二、Biomedical Field

1. Vaccine R & D
   • In the R & D of viral vaccines, it is first necessary to culture viruses in cells. For example, in the R & D process of influenza vaccines, cell culture medium powder is used to prepare a culture medium suitable for the growth of MDCK (Madin – Darby Canine Kidney) cells. MDCK cells can grow well in this culture medium, and then influenza viruses are inoculated into the cells. After the viruses multiply in large quantities within the cells, influenza vaccines are prepared through a series of inactivation and purification processes.
   • For the R & D of new – type viral vaccines, such as COVID – 19 vaccines, it is necessary to quickly screen cell lines that can support the growth of the virus at the early stage of R & D. Through cell culture medium powder, culture media with different components can be flexibly prepared to culture multiple cell lines, finding the most suitable host cells for the growth of the virus, thereby providing a basis for vaccine R & D.
2. Monoclonal Antibody Production
   • In the production process of monoclonal antibodies, the culture of hybridoma cells is crucial. Using cell culture medium powder, a culture medium suitable for the growth and antibody secretion of hybridoma cells can be prepared. For example, adding appropriate amounts of hypoxanthine, aminopterin, and thymidine (components of HAT medium) to the culture medium can screen for successfully fused hybridoma cells. At the same time, by adjusting the concentrations of amino acids, vitamins, and growth factors in the culture medium, the growth rate of hybridoma cells and the yield of monoclonal antibodies can be increased to meet the large – scale demand of the biomedical industry for monoclonal antibodies.
   • In the R & D and production of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies, in order to ensure the quality and activity of monoclonal antibodies, strict control of the cell culture environment is required. The culture medium prepared with cell culture medium powder can optimize the components of the culture medium according to the targets and diseases targeted by different therapeutic monoclonal antibodies, producing monoclonal antibodies with high specificity and high activity.

三、Tissue Engineering Field

1. Construction of Artificial Tissues
   • When constructing artificial skin tissue, it is necessary to culture skin – related cells such as keratinocytes and fibroblasts. Through cell culture medium powder, a culture medium simulating the skin microenvironment can be prepared. For example, adding components such as collagen and vitamin C to the culture medium can promote fibroblasts to synthesize extracellular matrix. At the same time, adjusting the proportion of growth factors in the culture medium enables keratinocytes to differentiate normally, and finally constructs artificial skin tissue with certain physiological functions for the treatment of skin injuries such as burns and traumas.
   • When constructing bone tissue – engineering scaffolds, it is necessary to culture bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and induce them to differentiate into osteoblasts. Using cell culture medium powder, a culture medium rich in osteogenic – inducing factors such as bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) and dexamethasone can be prepared, enabling bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells to successfully differentiate into osteoblasts on the scaffold material, forming bone tissue with certain mechanical strength and biological activity, providing a new treatment plan for bone defect repair.
2. Research and Development of Organ – on – a – Chip
   • Organ – on – a – Chip is an emerging biotechnology that simulates the microenvironment and physiological functions of human organs. In the R & D process of organ – on – a – Chip, cell culture medium powder is used to prepare culture media suitable for the growth of cells of different organs. For example, in the R & D of heart – on – a – Chip, cardiomyocytes need to be cultured. By adding appropriate components such as calcium ions and adrenaline to the culture medium prepared with cell culture medium powder, the contractile function of cardiomyocytes can be maintained, while simulating the hemodynamic environment of the heart, providing a platform for drug cardiotoxicity testing and cardiovascular disease research.
   • In the R & D of liver – on – a – Chip, a culture medium containing components such as hepatocyte growth factor and insulin is prepared using cell culture medium powder to culture hepatocytes, enabling them to maintain normal metabolism and detoxification functions on the chip, which is used for drug metabolism research and drug hepatotoxicity assessment.