Serum free cell culture: the free access online database.

The cultivation of cells in vitro is an important tool for biomedical research and production purposes. The supplementation of animal/human cell culture media with sera (components) of animal origin remains still standard, providing for e.g. necessary nutrition, shear protection, growth factors and cytokines. Because of undefined composition, risk of contaminations, the cost factor and also animal welfare considerations concerning the production of sera, the conversion to serum free alternatives is promoted by regulatory authorities, industry and the research community in general. To support this trend and to help save one of the scientists most valuable resources -- time -- a data bank was compiled of commercially available formulations, searchable for products, applications, cell lines and manufacturers. The database is accessible free of charge in HTML format and as PDF download, the informations are checked and updated twice a year. Problems concerning serum free cell culture are discussed at and comments are welcome.