Invitrogen launches stem cell medium

Invitrogen has launched a new feeder and serum-free medium (SFM) for the growth of human embryonic stem cells (hESC).

To be sold under a licensing agreement with Novocell, the new product bears the name Stempro hESC SFM.

The company suggests that the medium may be beneficial for researchers currently using serum-based media with mouse or human embryonic fibroblast feeder cells.

Joydeep Goswami, vice-president of stem cells and regenerative medicine at Invitrogen, says: "Stempro hESC SFM represents a major breakthrough in the field of embryonic stem cell research.

"Researchers today face major challenges when culturing hESCs, including difficulties in maintaining pluripotency, lack of definition in current culture systems and consistency."

Pluripotency – whereby stem cells retain the ability to develop into any of the three main types of body tissue – is a key factor in effective culturing, the company adds.

Invitrogen recently extended its Stempro line with a new passaging tool designed to more reliably transfer cells between growth media.