Serialize data before inserting into the DB

I need to store some post IDs in the DB in a custom table/field. The IDs will have to be stored in a serialized format. I know that, ie. for the options, serialization is done automatically for add/update functions (add_option(), update_option()). Is there a built-in WP function to serialize data for any other case? Or should I just use serialize()? Similarly, as soon as the data will be retrieved, is there a stock WP function to unserialize it, or will I have to use unserialize()? Thanks in advance for your replies!