Axenic Culture of Myxamoebae of the Myxomycete Physarum polycephalum

Myxamoebae of the acellular slime mold Physarum polycephalum have been cultured axenically in a soluble medium. The growth medium contains bovine serum albumin, embryo extracts, liver infusion broth, peptone, and glucose. Cell densities ranging from 3 x 10(6) to 5 x 10(6) cells/ml have been obtained with this medium. To date, myxamoebae have been serially transferred more than 100 times without deleterious effect.