StemBeads® Qkine EGF£180.00
StemBeads® Qkine EGF
£180.00
StemBeads® Qkine EGF is a patented growth factor supplement that offers a novel way to culture cells with native EGF more efficiently, with greater control and fewer medium changes. StemBeads® Qkine EGF has been tested on neural progenitor cell (NPC) media, including neural progenitor expansion medium (NPEM), with enhanced cellular profiles.
StemBeads® revolutionary controlled-release protein technology combined with Qkine high purity and bioactivity animal origin-free growth factors and cytokines stabilizes growth factor levels for increased cell culture consistency and reproducibility.
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£180.00
1000µg will be despatched as 2 x 500µg
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Buy online with secure credit card or purchase order. For any questions, please email orders@qkine.com
- Product supplied in liquid form
We are a company founded and run by scientists to provide a service and support innovation in stem cell biology and regenerative medicine. All our products are exceptionally high purity, with complete characterisation and bioactivity analysis on every lot.
Protein background
StemBeads® Qkine EGF is a patented growth factor supplement that offers a novel way to culture cells with native Endothelial Growth Factor more efficiently, with greater control and fewer medium changes. EGF is key for supporting differentiations. StemBeads® Qkine EGF are microbeads composed of an FDA approved, biodegradable PLGA polymer that is loaded with Qkine recombinant human EGF (Qk011) and release the encapsulated protein at a constant rate. Controlled delivery and stable levels (Figure 1) overcome the half-life of EGF and improve cell cultures while saving researchers valuable time and resources.
StemBeads are a revolutionary controlled-release growth factor technology. The StemBeads product is currently used for improved cell culture in more than 100 scientific laboratories globally. StemBeads technology encapsulates a growth factor in a PLGA hydrogel that stabilizes the protein and releases it steadily over several days. With growth factor levels stabilized, spontaneous differentiation is reduced, pluripotency is increased, and feeding schedules are reduced to only 2-3 times per week. StemBeads are added to your medium to achieve a desired growth factor release, sustained over several days. Following, the beads are washed from the culture, the medium is replaced, and the process repeated as required.
Members of the human epidermal growth factor family are synthesized as type I transmembrane precursor proteins, often containing several EGF domains in the extracellular region. Proteolysis yields mature proteins that are released from the cell surface [1]. Epidermal growth factor binds to high-affinity EGF receptors (EGFRs) and promotes receptor dimerization and clustering leading to activation of downstream signaling pathways, including PI3K, ERK1/2, JAK/STAT, β-catenin, and calcium signaling [2]. Human epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulates cell proliferation and differentiation. It is used extensively in induced-pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) and embryonic stem cell (ESC) culture systems for the successful expansion and differentiation of epithelial, neural, mesoderm and hematopoietic lineages [3]. EGF also stimulates the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) into bone-forming cells [4].
Additional resources
FAQ
Will StemBeads® interfere with my downstream application of the cells?
StemBeads® can be easily removed prior to analysis by washing 1-2 times with PBS, DMEM, F12 or any other basal medium preferred. For suspension cultures, there are a variety of strainer pore sizes to allow for separation. Cells cultured with StemBeads® have been used in a variety of downstream applications, including but not limited to: immunofluorescence, FACS, RNA/DNA extraction, nucleofection, differentiation etc.
What if I want to use a different concentration, can the protein release be adjusted?
The protein concentration can be adjusted based on the number of StemBeads® that you use. The release rate has a linear correlation with the amount of StemBeads® used. For example, 8 µl of StemBeads® per ml of media releases at a concentration of 10 ng/ml. However, if you desire half of that concentration, such as 5 ng/ml, then adjust the concentration to 4 µl of StemBeads® per ml media to achieve the concentration of 5 ng/ml.
How often do I change media when using StemBeads®?
With growth factor levels stabilized, spontaneous differentiation is reduced, pluripotency is increased, and feeding schedules are reduced to only 2-3 times per week. StemBeads are added to your medium to achieve a desired growth factor release, sustained over several days. Following, the beads are washed from the culture, the medium is replaced, and the process repeated as required.
The pH indicator in my growth medium appears very yellow when not changing media daily. Is this a problem?
No, this is not a problem or indication of cell quality. Extensive testing has been performed to access the cell quality when using StemBeads®. All phenotypic and functional assays have shown cell quality as good or better than current feeding regimens. For best assessment of cells, wash cells once prior to observation.
Our products are for research use only and not for diagnostic or therapeutic use. Products are not for resale.
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