CULTIVATION OF PLASMODIUM-FALCIPARUM PARASITES IN A SERUM-FREE MEDIUM

The elimination of serum from Plasmodium falciparum culture media coul d decrease costs, enhance procurement, and improve the feasibility of large-scale production of parasite material. We provide a semi-defined , serum-free formulation, of commercially available constituents that supports P. falciparum parasite growth at rates comparable with those obtained with serum-supplemented media. The medium is composed of RPMI 1640 to which HEPES, extra glucose, bicarbonate, and hypoxanthine hav e been added. Bovine albumin and serum-derived, lipids-cholesterol-ric h mixture are then used in place of serum.