Cell culture medium composition and translational adult bone marrow-derived stem cell research

The growing body of adult bone marrow-derived stem cell research in regenerative medicine has recently entered the clinical transplantation setting. The need for a robust flow of data from basic to translational scientists is imperative. All animal- and/or human-derived products should ideally be excluded and synthetic recombinant alternatives used instead. A variety of reasons make such an approach favorable, including achievement of sounder control levels, reduction of any prion, viral, or zoonose contamination risk, avoidance of possible immunological reactions, as well as decrease in demand on animal supplies. At a preclinical level, investigative cell culture protocols must incorporate serum-free media groups alongside control conditions. Finally, autologous serum should not be neglected until an "off-the-shelf" alternative becomes available in the future.