Fetal Bovine Serum Mesenchymal Stem Cell Tested USDA Approved, Sterile filtered

Fetal bovine serum (FBS) is a ubiquitously used essential supplement in cell culture media. FBS is a cocktail of proteins, vitamins, carbohydrates, lipids, hormones, growth factors, minerals and trace elements and is used as an universal growth supplement effective for most types of human and animal (including insect) cells. The major functions of serum in culture media are to provide: i. Hormonal factors stimulating cell growth and proliferation and promoting differentiated functions. ii. Transport proteins carrying hormones (e.g. transcortin), minerals and trace elements and lipids (e.g. lipoproteins) iii. Attachment and spreading factors, acting as germination points for cell attachment. iv. Stabilizing and detoxifying factors needed to maintain pH or to inhibit proteases either directly, such as αantitrypsin or α2-macroglobulin, or indirectly, by acting as an unspecific sink for proteases and other (toxic) molecules. MSC qualified sera are suitable for culturing mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) which are undifferentiated cells that have the ability to differentiate into multiple lineages. A major challenge in culturing MSC is the difficulty to maintain them in undifferentiated state while avoiding their differentiation into unwanted lineage. Serum contains many unknown factors, nutrient and molecules in variable concentration that may lead to unwanted differentiation of stem cells. RM10845 is sourced in countries approved for import into the United States by the USDA. Currently this includes Central America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Chile. These countries are documented by USDA as being free from exotic diseases, such as Foot and Mouth disease (FMD), Rinderpest and BSE.