Leibovitz's Medium
Leibovitz's L-15 Medium is a specialized cell culture medium formulated by Alan Leibovitz in the 1960s. It was specifically designed to support the cultivation of a variety of mammalian cells under CO₂-free conditions, making it distinct from many other media. This characteristic allows it to maintain a stable pH in environments lacking external CO₂ control, which is advantageous for field or non-standard laboratory settings.
Composition of Leibovitz's Medium
- Buffering System
- Unlike conventional media that rely on bicarbonate buffering and CO₂, Leibovitz's Medium uses phosphate and free-base amino acids (such as HEPES) to stabilize pH between 7.2–7.4.
- Amino Acids
- Comprehensive inclusion of essential and non-essential amino acids for protein synthesis and metabolic functions.
- Energy Sources
- Contains galactose instead of glucose to reduce lactate accumulation and support metabolic flexibility.
- Vitamins
- Includes a broad spectrum of vitamins, such as vitamin B-complex, to sustain enzymatic and cellular processes.
Applications of Leibovitz's Medium
CO₂-Free Cell Culture
- Ideal for culturing cells in environments where CO₂ incubation is not feasible, such as portable incubators or low-resource settings.
Transport and Storage of Tissues
- Used to maintain tissue viability during transport or short-term storage due to its pH stability and nutrient composition.
Virus and Protein Production
- Supports the propagation of certain viruses and production of proteins in mammalian cell lines.
Leibovitz's L-15 Medium is particularly valuable in research and industrial applications where conventional CO₂ incubators are impractical. Its unique buffering system and flexibility make it a reliable choice for diverse cellular processes.
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