MEM vs. DMEM vs. RPMI - What are the difference between them? (Jul/25/2009 )

Hi all,

I visited Invitrogen site, trying to understand the differences between MEM, DMEM and RPMI medium, but i only found out aminoacids concentrations, macro and micronutrients.
To cultivate Vero, LLC-MK cells could I use MEM supplied with 1% L-glutamine, 10% SFB, 1% non- essential aminoacids and 1,5% antibiotics ?
So what are the difference between MEM, DMEM, RPMI and what are the cell types that would grow well in these medium?

Thank you

Somebody correct me if I am wrong, but haven't you just answered your own question Reis.V.P??

And as far as what to culture each cell type in, a good place to start is the ATCC recommendations.
Whoever sells or gives your cells should also be able give you information as to what to grow your cells in- or you could search the literature for what others grow their cells in.

leelee on Jul 26 2009, 09:41 AM said:

I agreed with leelee.

It's better to refer back to ATCC recommendations.

From my experience, most continuous cell-lines are able to adapt to most basic mediums, such as DMEM and RPMI. However, this is not always true. Some cell-lines are particularly fastidious. Again, it's better for you to refer back to ATCC.

For Vero cells, I used DMEM with 10% FBS.

I am adding to the suggestions above, that if the cells that you are currently using have been cultured in another medium that the ones the ATCC recommended, then it will be best to continue using that medium, or wean them back onto the recommended medium.