Overview
Who: Matt Anderson-Baron, Ph.D. student in cellular and molecular biology
When: 2018 – 2018
Institutes: University of Alberta, Canada
Supervisors: Andrew Simmonds, associate professor of cell biology at the University of Alberta
Summary
Matt is identifying the key lipid components of fetal bovine serum (FBS). Lipids, or fatty acids, are macromolecules found in FBS that are known to be major supporters of cell growth. However, which lipids are present in FBS and in what quantities varies from sample to sample. Matt will figure out exactly which lipids are most important for supporting cell growth.
Why This Matters
Replacing FBS with animal-free alternatives is a major goal of cultured meat research. However, little information is known about the lipids in FBS. By identifying which lipids are present and which are most important for cell growth, Matt will open the door to more effective serum-free media alternatives.
