Trevigen has released human-placenta-derived basement membrane extract, providing a pathogen and xenographic-free micro-environment for human cell research.
Basement membrane extract (BME) can be used for promotion and maintenance of a specific phenotype in a variety of cell cultures including stem cells, primary epithelial cells, primary endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells.
A basement membrane extract derived from mouse EHS sarcoma is the historical standard with which research has been done on a variety of normal and cancer cells derived from both animal and human sources.
While these models do demonstrate a physiological response, there are subtle differences in the composition of the extracellular matrix as a result of tissue source and species specificity, as it is known that there are alterations in the tumor micro-environment, and mouse-specific proteins may impact the normal human cellular response.
As an option to avoid these issues, Trevigen has developed a BME derived from normal human placenta, avoiding the presence of both tumor-derived and mouse-specific proteins in the human cell micro-environment.
The human BME has been functionally tested for compatibility with human cells.
It has also been tested for sterility, and further PCR tested to insure the absence of eight human pathogenic viruses including Hepatitis A, B and C, HIV 1 and 2, Hantaan, Seoul and Sin Nombre.
Trevigen is a provider of reagents and kits for researchers investigating programmed cell death and DNA damage and repair.
A logical extension of the focus on cancer research has been the recent development of assays for cancer cell function and behaviour including angiogenesis, cell invasion and tumor formation.
Currently, the product portfolio contains more than 500 products categorised into four processes: apoptosis, DNA damage and repair, cancer cell behaviour, and oxidative stress.
