FBS Replacement

• Same performance as FBS.
• Lowers reagent costs.
• Consistent reliable source.

Order #	Product Name	Type	Unit	Price
0454-50	FBS Replacement	Liquid (ready-to-use)	50mL	Inquire
0454-500	FBS Replacement	Liquid (ready-to-use)	500mL	Inquire

Instructions for Use:

1. Add directly to media base along with any other supplements.  Final concentration should be between 2% and 20% depending on the cell type.  Filter sterilization of the medium-serum mixture is recommended.
2. In some cases, cells may require adaptation for cultivation in FBS Replacement.  Use a step-down procedure by successively exchanging FBS for the FBS Replacement at each feeding.  Begin with a 1:1 mixture of FBS Replacement to FBS followed by mixtures of 2:1, 4:1, 10:1 and 20:1.   At the sixth feeding, 100% FBS Replacement may be used.
   
3. Once the cells have been adapted, preserve them accordingly.  If using a serum-based cyrogenic preservation solution, replace the serum with FBS Replacement.

Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS) is a widely used nutritional supplement in cell culture.  FBS is favored over adult serum due to low levels of IgG and complement but with high levels of growth factors and cytokines.  In recent years, the size of livestock herds has declined.  In combination with ethical concerns about collecting serum from fetal calf and increased demand from researchers, a shortage of FBS has developed.  The consequence is the price for FBS has risen almost 4-fold since 2017.  To address this shortage, Athena's scientists have devised an FBS replacement.  The replacement has all the features of FBS, but is more a reliable supply and at a lower cost.

Athena's FBS Replacement is a proprietary serum formulation.  It is derived from serum which is processed to remove components not found in FBS.  The serum is then supplemented with a mixture of growth factors, cytokines and lipids resulting in a serum replacement that functionally mimics FBS.

The nutritional requirements of cell type differ.  To ensure a successful transition to FBS Replacement, it is important to determine the optimum amount of FBS Replacement needed and to determine if the cells need adaptation.  Some cell types may be cultivated without adaptation to FBS Replacement.  However, certain types of cells may respond to small changes in the media composition when transferred from FBS-containing media to that with FBS Replacement.  For these cells, progressive adaptation is recommended to allow cells to gradually adapt to the new medium environment (see Instructions below).

Product Specifications

Storage	Store at <-20 ̊C
Stability	2 years at -20 ̊C; 3 years at -80 ̊C
pH	7.1 to 7.4
Total Protein	30-45 mg/ml
IgG	<1.0 mg/ml
Certifications	Sterile, Heat Inactivated
Source	U.S.A. from USDA inspected and certified disease-free herds