What is the difference between Sf9 and Sf21 cells?
Because Sf21 cells attach firmly to surfaces, they can be used as a monolayer for transfection or plaque assay applications. Sf9 cells (IPLB-Sf-21-AE) are derived from the parental Spodoptera frugiperda cell line and are a suitable host for expression of recombinant proteins from baculovirus expression systems. The Sf9 cell/baculovirus expression system is widely used for high-level protein expression, often with the purpose of purification. However, proteins may also be functionally expressed in the defined Sf9 cell environment.Both Sf21 and Sf9 cells are highly susceptible to viral infection, but Sf9 seems to be better for maintenance as it has a higher growth rate, and is more tolerant to high densities, shear stress, and changes in culturing conditions.