Skip to Content
Merck
HomeProductsCell Culture & AnalysisCell Culture Supplements & ReagentsAlbumins and Transport ProteinsHuman Serum Albumin

Human Serum Albumin

The image shows a close-up of a microscope with a petri dish containing a pink substance underneath the lens, suggesting that this is a scientific or medical research setting. The microscope is on a black countertop.

Human serum albumin (HSA) is a monomeric, globular, albumin-binding protein consisting of ~ 585 amino acids and a 66.5 kDa molecular weight. It is synthesized in the liver and released into the bloodstream to help regulate the distribution of fluids between the blood vessels and tissues. HSA also transports substances such as fatty acids, hormones, and drugs in the blood. HSA has a half-life of approximately 19 days in circulation and can be easily purified from human plasma or produced using recombinant DNA technology. HSA is used as a supplement in cell culture media to provide necessary nutrients and promote cell growth. It also stabilizes the pH of the medium and acts as a carrier protein for hormones, vitamins, and other growth factors. Additionally, HSA can be used as a stabilizer and/or adjuvant in vaccines.

Human Serum Albumin: Lyophilized Powder or Solution

HSA is available as a lyophilized powder or aqueous solution and is commonly used as a stabilizing agent in the formulation of various drugs. It supports the growth and viability of various cell lines as a cell culture supplement and is used in applications such as SDS-page, agarose gel electrophoresis, and as a standard reference material for assay development.

In its denatured or lyophilized solid form HSA is used in monomer degradation studies and protein adhesion assays, where it helps to determine the interaction between proteins and surfaces.

Human Serum Albumin Fraction V

HSA fraction V is a highly purified form of HAS that is obtained through a fractionation process. It is a specific fraction of HSA that has been isolated and purified from human plasma using ethanol fractionation and other purification techniques. The HSA fraction V is commonly used as a protein standard and as a blocking agent in immunoassays. It also acts as a stabilizing agent in the formulation of various drugs and vaccines.

Recombinant Human Serum Albumin

Recombinant human serum albumin is a highly pure and homogeneous form of HSA. Recombinant HSA is free from the potential contaminants and impurities that can be present in human plasma-derived HSA but has the same physical and chemical properties as native HSA. It is widely used as a component of drug formulations and medical devices due to its superior purity and homogeneity. Recombinant HSA is also used in tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine because of its high biocompatibility and low immunogenicity, and serves as a primary reference calibrator for urine albumin in various diagnostic tests.

Related Product Categories
Human Serum for Cell Culture
Human serum is used to culture human cells and is available as plasma-derived AB human serum, clotted whole blood AB human serum, heat inactivated preparations, and complement-depleted preparations.
Albumins and Transport Proteins
Albumin is used in vitro to bind, sequester and stabilize a range of important small molecules and proteins. We provide bovine and human serum albumins and transport protein reagents for diverse applications, including cell culture, protein quantitation, and antibody-related studies.
Supplements for Cell Culture
Cell culture supplements enable the customization of media with defined characteristics to support specific applications and serum-free culture needs. Our culture-grade supplements include ITS formulations, amino acids, vitamins, antibiotics, and reagents qualified for hybridoma and insect cell culture.
Classical Media & Buffers
Choose from a range of optimized cell culture media formulations, including DMEM, RPMI-1640, and serum-free options for diverse cellular needs.
Mammalian Cell Lines
Cell lines from human and other mammalian species are essential for modeling disease and biological systems, and are critical tools for protein, antibody, virus, and vaccine production. We offer authenticated, contaminant-free cell lines, many in partnership with ECACC.
Enhanced Validation Antibodies
Our enhanced validation antibodies are characterized using numerous molecular and cell-based techniques and assays to provided superior assurance with target specificity for your required application needs.
Molecular Cloning & Protein Expression
Molecular cloning and protein expression methods and protocols for reliable cloning and robust protein expression from insect, bacteria, and mammalian protein expression vectors.
Recombinant/Fusion Tag Protein Purification
Optimize protein purification with our range of affinity resins and buffers for multiple tags and purification techniques.

Related Product Literature

Related Applications
Cell Culture Media Preparation
Culture media preparation for in vitro cell cultivation including preparation of different media formats, sterilization methods, cell growth and regulation supplements, media storage and use.
Mammalian Cell Culture
Applications, principles, and methods for in vitro mammalian cell culture including links to articles, protocols, and videos for proper aseptic technique, passaging and subculturing, and culture media considerations.
Primary Cell Culture Techniques
Cultivate mammalian primary cells for ADME/Tox screening, maintaining physiological relevance for accurate results.
Cell Growth & Maintenance
A synopsis of the conditions, media, nutrients, cultureware, and environments required for successful propagation of mammalian and yeast cells. Nutrient reagents, sterile technique and filtration, and requirements for 2D, 3D, and suspension cultures are described.
Western Blotting
An overview of the principles and applications of Western blotting for protein detection. Includes links to detailed protocols, videos, and other resources for protein extraction, gel electrophoresis, transfer to PVDF or nitrocellulose membranes, and chemiluminescent, colorimetric, and fluorescent detection methods.
(ELISA) Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) include direct, indirect, and capture (sandwich) detection formats for identifying and quantifying a specific antigen.
Immunohistochemistry
Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is a common immunostaining technique that is used by researchers to identify specific antigens of interest in healthy and diseased tissues.
Protein Purification
Protein purification techniques, reagents, and protocols for purifying recombinant proteins using methods including, ion-exchange, size-exclusion, and protein affinity chromatography.
Sign In To Continue

To continue reading please sign in or create an account.

Don't Have An Account?