Homologous serum, when repeatedly used for the culture of postimplantation rat embryos, rapidly loses its capacity to support growth and development. Replenishment of the ‘exhausted’ serum with glucose and vitamins (MEM vitamin concentrate—Flow Laboratories) together with gentle dialysis to remove small molecular weight toxic metabolites (lactate etc) fails to restore the growth-promoting properties of the serum. This suggests that ‘recycled’ serum has been depleted of specific growth-promoting factors. Such serum that has been subjected to dialysis can be completely replenished by addition of 30% normal rat serum. It is therefore probable that the growth promoters are originally present at very low concentrations and become rate limiting when serum is recycled. Many growth factors and hormones fall into this category and it is likely that a considerable number are involved when serum is ‘exhausted’ by repeated use. When insulin, epidermal growth factor or rat transferrin are added to dialysed ‘exhausted’ serum each effects a partial restoration of growth of rat embryos.
Development Journal Meeting 2022: From Stem Cells to Human Development
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Following a virtual meeting in 2020, we are delighted to announce that the fifth iteration of our popular Journal Meeting will be held from 11-14 September 2022 at the historic Wotton House, Surrey. Registration is open now.
Special Issue: The Immune System in Development and Regeneration
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Our latest special issue is now complete. It showcases articles that add to the repertoire of immune cell functions during development, repair and regeneration, and provide insights into the developmental pathways leading to the generation and dispersal of these cells.
Propose a new Workshop
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Our Workshops bring together leading experts and early-career researchers from a range of scientific backgrounds. Applications are now open to propose Workshops for 2024, one of which will be held in a Global South country.
Preprints in Development
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As part of our efforts to support the use of preprints and help curate the preprint literature, we are delighted to launch a new article type: ‘In preprints’. These pieces will discuss one or more recent preprints and place them in a broader context. You can read the first article here.
FocalPlane Network launched
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Like the Node Network, the aim of the FocalPlane Network is to facilitate promotion and networking as well as assist those seeking conference speakers, committee members, reviewers or collaborators. We hope that it will help promote diversity in the community. Find out more and join the Network here.
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