DMEM+media

Dulbecco’s modified Eagle medium, high-glucose formulation, containing: >> 5%, 10%, or 20% FBS, heat-inactivated 1 hr at 56°C >> 1% nonessential amino acids >> 2 mM L-glutamine >> 50 μM 2-ME >> 100 U/ml penicillin >> 100 μg/ml streptomycin sulfate >>
 * Complete DMEM medium. Made up of complete DMEM medium containing
 * Dulbecco’s modified Eagle medium, high-glucose formulation, containing:
 * Sensitization DMEM Medium
 * Complete medium
 * 1 mM sodium pyruvate

The percentage serum used in a protocol step is indicated by a numeral hyphenated to the base medium name. Thus, “complete DMEM-10” indicates that 10% FBS is used. The absence of a numeral indicates that no serum is used. See paragraphs preceding these recipes for critical parameters concerning media components and preparation. In particular, see discussion concerning use of DMEM versus RPMI when culturing human and mouse cells.

__excerpt from Appendix of Current Protocols in Immunology__ DMEM and Click’s media have an osmolarity that is more compatible with mouse serum than RPMI; in fact, RPMI was specifically designed for the culture of human cells. Nevertheless, satisfactory results with growth and processing of many mouse cell types can be obtained with RPMI. On the other hand, cell populations that contain a low frequency of responding T cells (see commentary, UNIT 3.12), that for unknown reasons are particularly fastidious, and that require optimal conditions because of their greater sensitivity (UNIT 3.13) will give better results in DMEM or Click’s. It is therefore always recommended to perform any protocols involved in in vitro activation of B and T cells in DMEM or Click’s, if RPMI does not give satisfactory results.

Commonly Used Reagents and Equipment Current Protocols in Immunology