ExCellerate™ Media for Cell Culture Expansion

Purified NK cells from PBMCs of 3 donors were grown in a feeder-free process on G-Rex® plates over a 14-day culture, according to this protocol. ExCellerate NK Media (Catalog # CCM037) outperformed other media suppliers, showing greater NK cell growth under feeder-free conditions compared to other NK cell expansion media.

Purified NK cells from PBMCs were grown in a feeder-free, serum-free process over a 14-day culture, according to this protocol. Only ExCellerate NK Cell Expansion Media (Catalog # CCM037) allowed for the feeder-free growth of NK cells without serum.

Human iPSCs expanded in either the RUO or GMP version of ExCellerate iPSC Expansion Medium show similar growth kinetics. Catalog # CCM036 (RUO version) and Catalog # CCM036-GMP have the same formulation and are manufactured with the same high quality animal-free components. No significant difference in growth kinetics is seen when culturing iPSC in either CCM036 (light blue) or CCM036-GMP (blue).

Representative images of iPSC expansion and differentiation. Image A shows iPSCs expanded in culture using ExCellerate iPSC Expansion Medium (Catalog # CCM036-GMP). Image B shows the differentiation into PDX-1 expressing pancreatic progenitors (AF2419). Image C shows the presence of large population of C-peptide (MAB14171) expressing monohormonal beta cells. Image D shows the co-expression of PDX-1 and C-peptide in the population.

ExCellerate media are formulated and optimized for the ex vivo culture of immune cells and stem cells. Unlike traditional serum-containing culture media, these media provide a stable culture and optimized environment, devoid of non-human animal-derived products. ExCellerate iPSC medium does not contain any animal-derived or human-derived products. ExCellerate media support the expansion of specific cell types (T cells, NK cells, B cells, or pluripotent stem cells).

Xeno-free media do not contain any non-human animal-derived components. Xeno-free media may contain human-derived components such as serum, holo-transferrin, or insulin. Animal component-free media do not contain any animal- or human-derived components. Elimination of these components further improves culture consistency compared to xeno-free media.

Using serum-free media eliminates variability from trace animal components in your culture media and reduces the risk of inconsistent results. Cultures expanded in these media are unaffected by the presence of unknown levels of vitamins, hormones, and growth factors in serum.

An organoid is a miniaturized version of an organ that can be generated in vitro under specific culture conditions from primary tissue, embryonic stem cells (ESCs), or induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Organoids have similar cellular composition and architecture as their tissues of origin and exhibit functional similarities. They are typically composed of multiple different cell types, which are properly arranged with respect to both each other and the extracellular matrix. Organoids are not only capable of self-organization, they are also capable of self-renewal, and are amenable to long-term cultivation and manipulation. Researchers have developed organoid systems for many different human tissues, including intestine, stomach, colon, liver, lung, heart, pancreas, kidney, prostate, inner ear, brain, and heart, among others. These 3D in vitro model systems have opened new avenues for investigating organ development, studying physiology and disease, screening drugs, and exploring personalized medicine.

Different types of stem cells are identifiable by their specification potential.

• Pluripotent stem cells - generate all the embryonic germ layers (e.g. endoderm, ectoderm and mesoderm), but are unable to generate extra-embryonic tissues (e.g. placenta). Best exemplified by embryonic stem cells (ESCs) which are derived from the inner cell mass of the blastocyst. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are reprogrammed from adult differentiated cells (e.g. fibroblasts, peripheral blood mononuclear cells).
• Totipotent stem cells - generate all the cell types in the organism (e.g. zygote or fertilized egg).
• Multipotent stem cells - generate a limited number of cell types based on their tissue of origin.
• Oligopotent stem cells - generate few cell types which are closely related (e.g. myeloid stem cells).
• Unipotent stem cells - generate one cell type (e.g. epidermal stem cells, muscle stem cells).
• Mesenchymal stem cells - give rise to fat, bone, muscle and cartilage.
• Hematopoietic stem cells - give rise to different types of blood cells (e.g. platelets, red and white cells).
• Neural stem cells - give rise to neurons, oligodendrocytes and astrocytes.