Pep talk - June 2025
Qkine supports organoid science collaborations and networks
Qkine highly pure and bioactive growth factors are the perfect partners for organoid research, where consistency is key. Our extended QC protocols including bioactivity testing on every lot and vial recovery validation ensure the most repeatable organoid cultures from iPSC or adult stem cells.
This month we have been delighted to support the inaugural meeting of LION (London gastroIntestinal Organoid Network). The event was a huge success, selling out the 120 spaces quickly and attracting a waiting list of 40+. The meeting brought together gut organoid researchers from across London and beyond. There was a focus on how gastrointestinal organoids can be used to model and study cancer and inflammation as well as sharing knowledge and resources available in biobanks. The new network was invited to their own group within the WORC community to continue the conversations and collaborations.
Qkine also supported BaCell 3D bringing together researchers in the field of organoid technologies, microphysiological systems, in vitro development and regeneration, disease modeling, and drug discovery. The conference discussed the advancements and challenges with organoids and MPS systems as these have the potential to revolutionize drug discovery and personalized medicine.
Image of cartilage spheroids created using Qkine TGF-β1 PLUS™ (Qk010) by Oliver Gardner/Valeriia Davydenko at Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, UCL.
UK Stem Cell Network meeting - 16-17 September 2025
The original UK National Stem Cell Network provided a focal point for the community and particularly supported early career stem cell researchers (ECRs) by providing opportunities to network and engage with stakeholders and leaders in the field at events close to home.
UK Stem Cell Network 25 aims to canvass the community and seek a mandate to reform this vital network, reconnecting a community to help retain the UK competitiveness in our field for the benefit of the UK society and economy.
The date is set for their inaugural meeting 16th-17th September 2025 in Manchester, UK.
Register now to secure your place.
Abstract submission is open here. Deadline for abstract submissions is 30th June 2025.
Did you miss?
Centre for Human Specific Research resources
Qkine have been working with the Centre for Human Specific Research to contribute to their resources and knowledge base, adding 'Growth Factors & Cytokines' to their resources on Animal-Derived Biomaterials and their alternatives. View site
Introducing Quoll Biosciences – Qkine’s New Partner in Oceania
Qkine are pleased to announce a new partnership with Quoll Biosciences, a specialist scientific distributor based in Sydney, Australia. Quoll will distribute Qkine's high quality, animal origin-free growth factors throughout Australia, New Zealand, and Oceania.
Blog: Unexpected consequences: growth factor cross-contamination in mammalian and E. coli expressed growth factors
New Products Launched
Recombinant human IL-8 protein (Qk119)
Interleukin-8 (IL-8) is an inflammatory cytokine that acts as a chemoattractant to neutrophils. It promotes the differentiation of hematopoietic progenitors into monocytic lineages including megakaryocytes, monocytes and macrophages. IL-8 can be used for the culture and differentiation of reproducible and high-quality hematopoietic stem cells and proliferation and migration in relevant cells.
Qkine recombinant human IL-8 has a molecular weight of 8.9 kDa. This protein is animal origin-free, carrier-free and tag-free to ensure its purity with exceptional lot-to-lot consistency.
Growth factors and cytokines for hematopoietic stem cells
Hematopoiesis is the process where hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) undergo self-renewal and differentiation to generate the diverse array of blood cell lineages that are essential for physiological function. This process occurs predominantly in the bone marrow. The complex biological process involves the differentiation and maturation of HSCs into various blood cell lineages, such as myeloid progenitor cells, which differentiate into mature cells, such as erythrocytes, neutrophils, and macrophages. HSCs also differentiate into lymphoid lineages to further mature into T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes.
Research in hematopoiesis explores the regulatory mechanisms governing the proliferation, differentiation, and function of HSCs by investigating signaling pathways, transcription factors, epigenetic modifications, and microenvironmental cues that influence hematopoietic cell fate decisions.
Recombinant human SCF protein (Qk078)
Qkine recombinant SCF is a highly pure 18.5 kDa monomer, animal origin-free (AOF) and carrier-protein-free (CF). Qkine has optimized the SCF manufacture process to produce a highly bioactive protein with excellent lot-to-lot consistency for enhanced experimental reproducibility.
Recombinant human IL-3 protein (Qk090)
Qkine human IL-3 comprises 140 amino acids with a molecular weight of 15.2 kDa. This protein is animal origin-free, carrier protein-free, and tag-free to ensure a homogenous population with exceptional lot-to-lot consistency. IL-3 is suitable for reproducible and high-quality myeloid progenitors and more specific lineages.
New Publications
One-Step Differentiation of Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells into Podocytes
Naderlinger E et al, Methods in Molecular Biology, May 2025
Researchers report an improved protocol of a simple and rapid one-step differentiation that drives iPSC into podocyte-like cells in 10 days and offers the possibility to transfer the podocyte-like cells into another plate format once.
Used Qkine FGF2-G3
Proximity proteomics of primary cilia in human hypothalamic neurons
Macarelli et al,
Researchers investigated the species-specific differences in self-renewal requirements and extraembryonic lineage potency. Chimpanzee naive pluripotent stem cells can transition to multilineage competence or can differentiate into trophectoderm and hypoblast, providing a higher primate comparative model for studying pluripotency and early embryogenesis.
Used Qkine BDNF (Qk050)
All our growth factors are manufactured within a stringent quality framework, ensuring high-quality proteins that maintain robust, reproducible, and physiologically relevant stem cell and organoid cultures that adhere to our Nine-point Quality Commitment.
Upcoming Events
- Milner Therapeutics Symposium | 30 June 2025 | Cambridge, UK
- British Microcirculation and Vascular Biology Society | 3-4 July 2025 | Surrey, UK
- 4th Interdisciplinary Signaling Workshop | 28-31 July 2025 | Visegrad, Hungary
- 17th Annual Symposium: Mechanisms and Models of Cancer | 29 July-1 August 2025 | La Jolla, California, US
- The Cell Summit '25 - Innovations in Processing & Scale Up | 5-6 August 2025 | Indianapolis, Indiana, US
We'd always love to meet you at any of events, contact support@qkine.com to make an appointment.
What’s next?
Qkine are committed to producing the most high quality and bioactive growth factors and cytokines, coming soon to our extensive portfolio:
- Recombinant human IL-18 protein (Qk100) - Expected June 2025
- Recombinant human EPO protein (Qk099) - Expected July 2025
- Recombinant human TPO protein (Qk098) - Expected July 2025
If you wish to be notified when proteins are released, contact us customerservice@qkine.com