Serum
Serum — The liquid component of blood after clotting, containing proteins and peptide hormones, used as a supplement in cell culture media.
What Is Serum?
Serum is blood plasma with clotting factors removed (collected by allowing blood to clot, then centrifuging). Serum contains peptide hormones, growth factors, and albumin but not fibrinogen. In cell culture, fetal bovine serum (FBS) at 5-10% provides growth factors and nutrients. For peptide biomarker measurement, serum vs. plasma choice affects results.
Context
- Stability testing: Peptide stability in serum (37°C) measures protease resistance. t1/2 in serum is a key preclinical metric
- Albumin binding: Lipidated peptides bind serum albumin, extending circulation time
- FBS lot variation: Growth factor content varies between FBS lots, affecting peptide assay reproducibility
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Serum?
The liquid component of blood after clotting, containing proteins and peptide hormones, used as a supplement in cell culture media.
Why is Serum important in peptide research?
Serum is a fundamental concept in biology as it relates to peptide science. It directly influences experimental design, compound characterization, and the reliability of research outcomes across biochemistry and molecular biology disciplines.