This complex medium was originally developed specifically for nutritional research of chicken fibroblasts. Today, 199 media are widely used for the maintenance of non-transformed cells, vaccine and virus production and primary explants of epithelial cells.

Medium 199, a complex cell culture medium, was originally developed specifically for nutritional research on chicken fibroblasts. This formulation has evolved over time to become a common choice for the maintenance of non-transformed cells, vaccine and virus production, and primary epithelial cell explants.

The richness of its components makes it a versatile medium, providing a variety of essential nutrients to support cell growth. 199 media are valued for their ability to promote cell viability while maintaining the phenotypic characteristics of the cells of origin. This versatility makes them a popular choice for cell cultures involving a variety of cell types, from basic cell nutrition research to more specialised applications such as vaccine production.

In particular, chicken fibroblasts were the starting point for its development, underlining its origins in cell nutrient research. Today, 199 media continue to be an essential tool in the field of cell culture, providing a solid nutrient base for a variety of biological and medical applications.