Frequently Asked Questions

 YES! Bio-Merchant and Capricorn Scientific can work with you to develop custom formulations tailored to your specific cell culture needs.

• HEKventure S: Optimized for stable HEK293 cell growth in suspension, primarily for virus production and recombinant protein expression in a fed-batch process.
• HEKventure T: Designed for transient expression of viral vectors (e.g., AAV), with enhanced PEI transfection efficiency through its Transfection Booster & Enhancer.

No, you only need to use the Transfection Enhancer & Booster Kit. These replace the feeds and improve transfection efficiency, leading to higher production and yield.
Enhancer: Enhances PEI capabilities & building constructs. 

Booster: Increases viral vector production 

We have a Cell Culture Product Manager who can answer most of your questions and provide guidance on media selection, optimization, and general troubleshooting. For more complex or specialized needs, we can connect you with a cell culture specialist in Germany who will work with you to refine your processes and address the specific requirements of your cells. Contact us at info@bio-merchant.com to get the expert support you need!

Peptones are hydrolysates of protein, which are used as a component for such media in order to improve adhesion, cell growth or other specific properties (protein production, EV production...). Protein origins; Vegetable, Animal, Dairy, & Yeast.

Bio-Merchant keeps a wide variety of products in stock at our site in Massachusetts. However, if we do not have your requested product at our facility, we order it directly from Organotechnie in France with a lead time of 2-4 weeks. 

C-CELL Peptones are designed to provide essential nutrients to mammalian cell culture! Click HERE for more information. 

Serum is the amber-colored blood fraction remaining after the natural coagulation of blood; it is typically further refined via centrifugation, which serves to remove remaining blood cells. Fetal bovine serum (FBS) is the serum derived from blood drawn from a bovine fetus via a closed system of collection.

Fetal bovine serum is used as a growth supplement for the in vitro cell culture of eukaryotic cells. Animal sera—both bovine and non-bovine sera—are used in cell culture applications with the most widely used being fetal bovine serum. FBS contains growth factors and very low levels of antibodies, allowing for versatility in many different cell culture applications. There are 1000+ components found in FBS, including proteins, electrolytes, lipids, carbohydrates, hormones, enzymes, and other undefined constituents, which are necessary in many culture conditions to support cell growth.

Both academic and industrial researchers and scientists in manufacturing environments use FBS in their cell culture media for investigations including biotechnology research/production, vaccine manufacturing, cloning and animal diagnostics.

Yes, please contact support@bio-merchant.com for details.

Yes, Bio-Merchant offers a wide range of specialty serum including heat-inactivated & gamma-irradiated. Please contact support@bio-merchant.com for more information.

Most FBS products that are stored appropriately have a 5-year shelf-life. Please refer to the CoA provided for the specific serum batch.