Why do ExpiCHO cells need 8% CO2 levels in the incubator? Is is because they have high metabolic rate, thereby producing more lactate and needing more CO2 to buffer the media? Would like to know your thoughts. Thanks!
Hi, I hope you are doing well,
As you said, maintaining the pH of the cell culture medium is the fundamental objective of the elevated CO2 levels. A drop in pH might result from the waste products lactate and oxygen that cells make when they grow and proliferate (acidic conditions). The presence of elevated CO2 in the incubator helps to counteract this acidification.
Moreover, reducing shear stress might be another reason. CO2 can help reduce shear stress. This is because the elevated CO2 levels affect the properties of the culture medium, making it more viscous. Shear stress can be minimized by using a more viscous medium, which will lessen the force that is applied to the cells during agitation and mixing.
