How To Monitor Consistency In Mesenchymal Stem Cell Media (MSC)

In the lab, cultures of MSCs are fed cell media that has been specifically designed to maximize the MSC growth potential, and the media commonly includes serum. However, due to the variability in serum compositions and the risk associated with animal component-containing media, many research groups have adopted serum-free culturing practices to grow MSCs. This practice allows groups to have more consistency between experiments while meeting regulatory requirements for clinical studies. In the absence of serum, proprietary supplements are added to the MSC cultures that provide growth factors for both expansion and differentiation.

To ensure consistency when culturing MSCs, researchers should understand what is being added to their media using frequent at-line cell culture media analysis.