Merck Millipore launches stem cell differentiation medium

Merck Millipore and partner Plasticell have launched OsteoMAX-XF, a fully-defined xeno-free human mesenchymal stem cell differentiation medium.

The medium is the first of its kind to be tailored for the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into osteocytes, allowing mineralisation to be detected in less than one week, compared to 21 days for serum-based products.

Thanks to a formulation that produces more consistent and potent osteogenic differentiation than competing offerings, OsteoMAX-XF enables a more reproducible and efficient method for creating bone tissue and advancing research in bone disease and healing.

Nick Asbrock, stem cell product manager at Merck Millipore, said: "This unique media formulation will help accelerate research in a wide range of bone-related diseases such as osteoporosis."

Last month, the company announced the launch of the SIRTainty Class III HDAC assay which allows for simple, sensitive detection of sirtuin activity on any desired substrate, making it useful in the development of new treatments for Alzheimer's disease, cancer and type 2 diabetes.