FAQs regarding Human Serum

Posted by Leanne Kodsman on


DOES YOUR SERUM CONTAIN TETRACYCLINE?

We do not add this antibiotic to serum during manufacturing. Tetracycline is an antibiotic which is often used to treat animals prior to slaughter. Although there should be sufficient time between the last dose of antibiotic and slaughter for the drug to metabolize, this is not always the case and the serum may contain residual amounts of tetracycline.

HOW LONG CAN FROZEN HUMAN SERUM BE STORED?

Although it is impossible to claim stability data for every possible application and use for human serum AB, we conservatively estimate that if this product is stored properly at -20ºC, it can be used for 5 years from the date of manufacture without any decrease in product performance. Storage at any other temperature may affect results.

WHY DO DIFFERENT BOTTLES OF HUMAN SERUM SOMETIMES LOOK DIFFERENT FROM ONE ANOTHER?

Innovative Research Products go to great lengths to ensure that our human sera are the most consistent products commercially available. Although our human serum is manufactured using raw material from congruous donor pools and according to time-tested protocols, it is possible to perceive differences in the physical appearance of this product from lot-to-lot. This phenomenon can be largely attributed to variation in diet amongst human beings (particularly with respect to dietary fats). Another source for slight differences comes from non-uniform storage conditions and/or handling variations in the laboratory setting. Due to the special sensitivity of this product (as compared to other sera), it is critical that human serum be cared for as recommended by the manufacturer.

WHY DO I NOTICE PARTICULATE MATTER IN SOME HUMAN SERUM?

Due to a diet higher in fats and oils, human serum typically contains higher levels of lipids than serum from other sources. Even after sterile filtration through 0.1mm filters, particles remain suspended in solution that can aggregate and precipitate as a result of subsequent freezing, thawing and/or heat-inactivation. It is for this reason that we suggest minimizing such temperature changes. The presence of particulate matter does not indicate contamination of any sort, and does not negatively impact the serum's performance.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OFF-THE-CLOT AND PLASMA-DERIVED HUMAN SERUM?

Off-the-clot serum is collected from blood that is allowed to coagulate naturally after collection. It has not been exposed to any anticoagulants. Plasma-derived serum is produced by defibrinating pooled human plasma collected in the presence of an anticoagulant, such as sodium citrate. Plasma-derived serum, such as the human serum AB , is generally more economical and consistent than off-the-clot product. Off-the-clot serum is, however, available in original transfer packs from individual donors, a feature attractive for certain metabolic studies.

WHY USE HUMAN SERUM?

Human serum yields superior results when culturing many types of human cells, particularly those associated with the human immune system. Human serum is used to supplement lymphocyte culture media, as a blocking agent for immunohistochemical staining procedures, and as a negative control in human leukocyte antigen (HLA) tissue-typing applications.


    Innovative Research was established in 1998 after the realization that dependable, high-quality, and affordable research materials were hard to come by. Starting with core products like human plasma and serum, Innovative Research has grown to be a trusted supplier of all lab reagents, including human biologicals and ELISA kits. Today, we manufacture and supply thousands of high-quality human and animal biologicals including plasma, serum, tissues, and proteins.


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