Conceptual art of three different bottles of FBS overlayed on a cell

In general, FBS is a mixture of a wide range of components, including growth factors, hormones, lipids, and many others. However, certain experimental applications require more control over serum composition. Examples of cell culture applications requiring specialty serum include those involving tet-inducible gene expression systems, those requiring very specific concentrations of certain molecules, or those involving the use of stem cells.

Choose from a large selection of serum products designed for specific experimental needs and sensitive cell culture, including stem cell research, cancer research, reporter assays, immunoassays, and more.

Selection guide: Specialty FBS

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Removes unwanted components

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Speeds up your workflow

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Reduces background noise

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Proven to work with demanding cells

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Enables more control in your research

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Delivers consistency

Dialyzed FBS
Charcoal-stripped FBS
Tet-system approved FBS 
MaxSpec FBS  
Ultra-low IgG FBS
Exosome-depleted FBS
MSC-qualified FBS  
ESC-qualified FBS  

Choose specialty FBS to control your experimental conditions

MaxSpec FBS

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Gibco MaxSpec FBS is Thermo Fisher Scientific’s highest quality FBS, delivering our best testing levels and quality specifications.

Features of MaxSpec FBS

  • Most characterized Gibco sera, with the lowest levels of endotoxin and hemoglobin
  • Endotoxin level: ≤1 EU/mL
  • Hemoglobin level: ≤15 mg/dL
  • Meets USP/EP guidelines with up to 76 quality specification tests
  • Lowest BSE risk and lower viral risk than other Gibco FBS

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Ultra-low IgG FBS

Artistic rendering of multiple red viruses

Ultra-low IgG fetal bovine serum has been chromatographically depleted of IgG, an important factor in isolating organisms that may be inhibited by pre-existing levels of IgG or for quantitative IgG immunoassays. Despite IgG depletion, the serum retains full biological activity.

Features of ultra-low IgG FBS

  • Lowers Ig levels (<5 μg/ml) in fetal bovine serum while preserving comparable performance to regular FBS
  • Low or undetectable BVD antibody titer levels
  • Available in the innovatively designed, aliquot-free Gibco One Shot FBS 50 mL bottle

Research areas using ultra-low IgG FBS*

  • Antibodies
  • Viruses and viral response
  • Cell-surface epitopes
  • IgG-dependent cell cytotoxicity
  • Ligand-receptor studies

* These results are based on a review of approximately 10,000 publications using query terms based on six specialty FBS products offered by Thermo Fisher Scientific. These terms were generated by the MeSH (medical subject headings) taxonomy based on the full text of the paper.

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Exosome-depleted FBS (exosome-free FBS)

Artistic rendering showing multiple cells and exosomes

Exosome-depleted FBS, also known as exosome-free FBS, is an ultrapure FBS that provides high levels of exosome depletion (≥90%) while maintaining cell culture performance. This specialty FBS is relied upon for exosome isolation assays and research involving exosome contents, such as miRNAs. By choosing exosome-depleted FBS, the inefficiencies that come with ultracentrifugation of serum are removed.

Features of exosome-depleted FBS (exosome-free FBS)

  • ≥90% of exosomes depleted
  • Sophisticated manufacturing process retains the nutrients your cells need
  • Avoids need for time-consuming ultracentrifugation
  • Cell culture testing of every lot
  • Specially developed for exosome research
  • Full quality testing for sterility, mycoplasmas, performance, and endotoxins
  • Available in aliquot-free Gibco One Shot FBS 50 mL bottle

Research areas using exosome-depleted FBS*

  • Exosomes and extracellular vesicles
  • MicroRNA
  • Cell-cell communication

* These results are based on a review of approximately 10,000 publications using query terms based on six specialty FBS products offered by Thermo Fisher Scientific. These terms were generated by the MeSH (medical subject headings) taxonomy based on the full text of the paper.

Why researchers choose exosome-depleted FBS

Hear how Gibco Exosome-Depleted FBS helps save time, reduce batch-to-batch variation, and support excellent growth of cells.

“I was able to culture my cells and get very good growth in only 2.5% serum, compared to 10%, due to Gibco Exosome-Depleted FBS, maintaining a lot of the important nutrients ("the good things") that were lost during ultracentrifugation.”

Dr. Jonathan Gilthorpe, Pharmacology and Clinical Neuroscience University, Sweden.

Exosome-depleted FBS supporting data

72-hour cell growth of rat oligodendrocyte cells with exosome-depleted FBS

Figure 1. Growth rate of rat oligodendrocyte cells in exosome-depleted FBS. Rat oligodendrocyte cells were seeded at 1,000 cells per well in 96-well plates and grown in medium containing 2% or 10% by volume of one of the following supplements: Gibco Exosome-Depleted FBS, Gibco FBS, the source of the exosome-depleted version), or ultracentrifuged FBS. After 72 hours in culture, the live cells were stained with Invitrogen Hoechst 33342, and the plate was imaged and analyzed on a 96-well plate imaging instrument (Trophos Plate RUNNER HD). Results are presented as the total cell count as reported by the 96-well plate analysis. (The results were obtained from the laboratory of Dr. Jonathan Gilthorpe in the department of Pharmacology and Clinical Neuroscience at Umeå University, Sweden.)

Cell culture performance: 2-day viability and viable cell density as a percentage of source FBS

Comparison of exosome depletion methods for FBS

Figure 3. Comparison of exosome depletion methods for FBS. Three different lots of FBS were subjected to 3 different methods of exosome depletion. The first used ultracentrifugation at 110,000 X g for 3 hours (labeled as Ultracentrifuge 1). The second method used ultracentrifugation at 150,000 X g for 18 hours (labeled as Ultracentrifuge 2). The third method used our proprietary process for the depletion of exosomes from FBS (labeled as exosome-depleted FBS). Source FBS refers to the FBS prior to any exosome depletion process. After the exosome depletions, relative levels of remaining exosomes were measured by extracting exosomes from depleted sera using the Total Exosome Isolation Reagent (from serum), then staining the isolated exosomes with a lipophilic dye. The fluorescent signal is displayed as Relative Fluorescence Units (RFU). The data demonstrate the improved efficiency of exosome depletion using our proprietary method compared to ultracentrifugation.

Exosome depletion of FBS verified by NanoSight instrument measurement and fluorescence exosomes staining assay

Figure 4. Verification of FBS exosome depletion. The exosome depletion from FBS samples was verified by analysis on a NanoSight instrument (comparing the 30–150 nm count before and after exosome depletion) as well as via fluorescence-based assay. Briefly, this assay involves extracting exosomes from serum using the Total Exosome Isolation Reagent, and then staining the isolated exosomes with Invitrogen BODIPY TR Ceramide. The percent depletion is derived from comparing the fluorescent signal of the exosome-depleted FBS with the source FBS. The first two exosome-depleted lots shown were produced by our proprietary manufacturing method. Included in the same analysis was a sample of FBS that was ultracentrifuged to deplete exosomes and an exosome-depleted FBS product from a competitor.

Analysis of exosome-depleted FBS by SDS-PAGE and CD63 content by western blot

Figure 5. Western blot analysis of exosome-depleted FBS. (A) Analysis of FBS by SDS-PAGE: Equal masses (10 µg) of FBS proteins were analyzed by SDS-PAGE. Exosome-depleted FBS looks very similar to the source FBS used in production. (B) CD63 content by western blot analysis: Exosomes were precipitated from FBS samples, run by SDS-PAGE, and probed by western blotting for CD63. Compared to all other FBS samples tested, exosome-depleted FBS shows no observable CD63, indicating excellent exosome depletion. MW = molecular weight marker.

miRNA detection by qRT-PCR in FBS sample-derived exosomes

In addition to exosome-depleted FBS, explore additional exosome products

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MSC-qualified FBS

Microscopic stained mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)

MSC-qualified FBS is specially tested to support the expansion and clonal enumeration (by colony forming unit-fibroblast assay) of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). MSC-qualified FBS has been carefully designed to eliminate the need for testing multiple FBS lots to identify the optimal one for MSC research.

Features of MSC-qualified FBS

  • Performance-tested using standard 14-day MSC CFU-F assay
  • Each lot is tested against an in-house FBS reference standard using cells from a master cell bank of MSCs from normal bone marrow donors, which helps ensure lot-to-lot consistency

Research areas using MSC-qualified FBS*

  • Mesenchymal stem cells
  • Mesenchymal stromal cells
  • Osteogenesis
  • Chondrogenesis and cartilage
  • Collagen and other extracellular matrices (ECM)
  • Adipose tissue and adipogenesis

* These results are based on a review of approximately 10,000 publications using query terms based on six specialty FBS products offered by Thermo Fisher Scientific. These terms were generated by the MeSH (medical subject headings) taxonomy based on the full text of the paper.

MSC-qualified FBS supporting data

Effect of MSC-qualified FBS on MSC clonal efficiency and expansion

Bar chart showing higher MSC clonal efficiency for Gibco MSC-qualified FBS than for competitor FBS

Figure 7. Effect of FBS source on MSC clonal efficiency. Results from Gibco FBS (2 lots tested are indicated by red and blue bars) are shown along with the results from a competitor's FBS product (yellow bar). P<0.05 via student’s t-test.

Bar chart showing higher MSC expansion (cells/mL) for Gibco MSC-qualified FBS than for competitor FBS

Figure 8. Effect of FBS source on MSC expansion. Results from Gibco FBS (2 lots tested are indicated by red and blue bars) are shown along with the results from a competitor's FBS product (yellow bar). P<0.05 via student’s t-test.

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ESC-qualified FBS

Artistic rendering showing multiple embryonic stem cells

ESC-qualified FBS, produced using an industry-leading qualification assay, is specifically designed for achieving high plating efficiencies and maintaining pluripotency of embryonic stem cells (ES cells). ES cells are derived from the inner cell mass of blastocysts and are used in a variety of studies regarding biological functioning. When culturing ES cells, it is critical that they maintain the ability to differentiate into the cell type of interest in order to test expression and other characteristics. Therefore, ESC-qualified FBS helps maintain proper growth conditions for ES cells.

Features of ES cell FBS

  • Tested for the ability to sustain undifferentiated ES cells (Figure 9A) while maintaining karyotype integrity (Figure 11), LIF responsiveness (Figure 12), and pluripotency markers (Figure 9B)
  • Improved screening with germ line-competent PRX129/X1 mESC line using a predictive assay that measures plating efficiency and pluripotency maintenance
  • High consistency between lots with proven applications in iPSC generation and PSC culture
  • Available in the innovatively designed, aliquot-free Gibco One Shot FBS 50 mL bottle

Research areas using ES cell FBS*

  • Hormones or hormone receptors (androgens, estrogens, progesterone)
  • Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)
  • Cellular reprogramming
  • Embryonic stem cells (ESCs)
  • Embryonic development

Using ES cells to study disease, cancer, or cellular mutation can help pave the way for new treatment options and potential biological advancements.

* These results are based on a review of approximately 10,000 publications using query terms based on six specialty FBS products offered by Thermo Fisher Scientific. These terms were generated by the MeSH (medical subject headings) taxonomy based on the full text of the paper.

ES cell FBS supporting data

mESCs grown in ES cell FBS exhibit pluripotency traits and maintain normal karyotypes

Phase-contrast micrograph images showing mESC colonies grown using ES-qualified FBS; morphological traits shown in panel A and fluorescent AP staining shown in the panel B indicate that the ES cells are pluripotent

Figure 9. Image analysis of mESC colonies grown in media containing Gibco ES Cell FBS Qualified. (A) Phase-contrast image of mESC colonies grown in media containing ES cell FBS showing colonies with morphological traits consistent with pluripotency. (B) An overlay of the fluorescence image (obtained after staining the sample with Alkaline Phosphatase (AP) Live Stain) with the phase-contrast image of mESC colonies, showing uniform AP staining. Colonies that appear green are expressing AP and are therefore pluripotent.

Phase-contrast and fluorescent micrograph images showing mESC colonies grown using ES-qualified FBS. Morphological traits, AP staining, and Oct4 and Sox2 expression indicate that these cells are pluripotent.

Figure 10. Phase contrast and fluorescent images of mESC colonies. mESCs cultured in media supplemented with ESC-qualified FBS exhibit the morphological traits of well-defined refractive edges, tight colonies with small cells, and few differentiated cells. These cells also exhibit pluripotency via Alkaline Phosphatase (AP) Live Stain and the expression of Oct4 and Sox2.

Graph showing that mESCs grown with LIF in ES-qualified FBS maintain higher levels of pluripotency whereas those grown in the absence of LIF differentiate

Figure 12. mESCs cultured in media supplemented with ESC-qualified FBS maintain LIF responsiveness. When LIF is removed from mESC media, normal mESC cultures respond with widespread differentiation. PRX129/X1 murine ES cells grown with and without LIF demonstrate this response.

ESC-qualified FBS can support reprogramming workflows

Timeline and images showing that proper supplementation of growth media with ES-qualified FBS supports workflows to generate iPSCs from mouse and human fibroblasts

Figure 13. When used to supplement growth media, ESC-qualified FBS helps support generation of iPSCs from both mouse and human fibroblasts. In a standard workflow using Sendai virus–based reprogramming (CytoTune iPS 2.0 Sendai Reprogramming Kit), both murine and human fibroblasts successfully generated iPSCs.

Rigorous screening methodology helps ensure performance of ESC-qualified FBS

Figure 14. Plating efficiency and colony morphology assessed in murine embryonic stem cells grown in media containing ESC-qualified FBS. (A) Undifferentiated colonies (top row) appear bright and sharp, and differentiated colonies (bottom row) appear dim, fuzzy and flattened when stained with alkaline phosphatase. (B) Methylene blue stains all cells and is used to count the total colony number. (C) Results plotted as % AP+/MB+ demonstrates assay consistency among three users.

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Resources

Fetal Bovine Serum Basics
Learn the basics of FBS for cell culture, including information on the FBS uses, components, and the market dynamics driving this industry.

Cell Culture Basics
Learn the fundamentals of cell culture for achieving consistent results, including laboratory setup, safety, and aseptic techniques.

Gibco iMatch Sera Lot Matching Tool 
Provide your previous Gibco FBS lot number or answer a few questions to find your ideal serum match.

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