LIFE TECHNOLOGIES QUALIFIED ONESHOT FBS NZ 50ML

Catalog No. A3160901 Supplier LIFE TECHNOLOGIES Supplier No. A3160901

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why would I heat inactivate serum?

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.

How do I heat inactivate serum?

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.

What are the benefits and disadvantages of using heat-inactivated FBS in cell culture?

1. 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 of embryonic stem cells (ESCs), insect cells, and smooth muscle cells.
2. Heat inactivation helps to achieve bottle-to-bottle and lot-to-lot stability by neutralizing many factors that can vary largely from lot to lot.
3. There aren't necessarily disadvantages to heat inactivation of FBS, but there is some evidence that suggests there may be no added benefit to it unless you are carrying out immune studies.

Note: Heat inactivation is performed in a 56 degrees C water bath for 30 min with swirling every 10 min or so for heat distribution and to lower the degree of protein aggregation/flocculant precipitation. Note: If the time or temperature is exceeded, the serum may thicken to a gel. If this occurs, the serum is no longer usable. Unnecessary heat inactivation can take up time and potentially lead to wasted reagents if a mistake is made during the protocol¹.

1. Pellerin, et al., Bioengineering, published in 2021.

What is the difference between "qualified" versus "certified" purity grade FBS?

The main difference is in the Quality Control (QC) test specifications. “Qualified” and “Certified” FBS go through the same QC tests but “Certified” FBS has additional QC tests as well as more stringent QC test specifications for endotoxin and hemoglobin levels. The additional QC tests in “Certified” FBS include biochemical and hormonal profiling.

How long can serum be stored at 2-8 degrees C?

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

Are there any other packaging configurations available for the new One Shot FBS product?

Yes, we also offer a 10 X 50 mL package, which is equivalent to a 500 mL bottle of FBS.

How is the new One Shot FBS bottle different from our existing One Shot bottle?

Our previous One Shot bottle, a 60 mL Nalgene media bottle, is not designed for easy pipetting and pouring whereas the new One Shot FBS bottle has a propietary design that was developed specifically for FBS use. This design allows you to freeze, thaw and pour without the need to aliquot, which minimizes the amount of FBS handling and reduces the risk of contamination.

Does the new One Shot FBS bottle fit into a conical tube rack?

The new One Shot FBS bottle is not shaped to fit into a traditional conical tube rack. It does however fit nicely in a 30 mm test tube rack for the purposes of storage and use in a water bath and biological safety cabinet.

What is the best way to hold the new One Shot FBS bottle for pouring?

For optimal, burp-free pouring, securely grip the bottle using the indents and pour with the chamfered edge facing down.

What is the shelf life of the new One Shot FBS?

The initial shelf life/stability for the new One Shot FBS is two years from the date of manufacture. Additional updates will continue to be made as data becomes available.

Can I heat inactivate the serum in the new One Shot FBS bottle?

Yes, the serum in the new One Shot FBS bottle can be heat inactivated at 56 degrees C for 30 minutes.

Can I reuse the new One Shot FBS bottles?

It is at the discretion of the customer to reuse these bottles for purposes other than what they are intended for. But please note that they cannot be autoclaved.

What type of plastic is the new One Shot FBS bottle made from?

It is made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET, PETE). This is the same plastic used in our other bottles.