An Animal-Free Medium Formulation and Adaptation Method Supporting Growth of Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells — 25a — Laura A. E. Brunmaier¹, Travis W. Walker^1,2 

1. Biomedical Engineering Program, Nanoscience and Nanoengineering Department, South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, Rapid City, SD, USA 

2. Karen M. Swindler Chemical and Biological Engineering Department, South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, Rapid City, SD, USA 

The successful development of a defined media for cell culture presents a host of advantages, including reduced disease transmission, facilitation of translational research, and enablement quantifiable bioassays. Fetal bovine serum (FBS) has ubiquitous use in cell culture, but it presents consequential drawbacks, such as significant variability from batch to batch, serious risk of disease transmission, and concerns regarding ethical collection practices. A need exists for full identification of components in cell media and stimulating factors. Here, we present our formulations for an animal-free (AF) media and our adaptation procedures for human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC). Our goal in this study is to identify the simplest media formulation that is capable of sustaining viable HUVEC growth while optimizing for the most efficient route to adapting cells to AF conditions. This work motivates the development of quantitative, tunable bioassays to accelerate biomedical research and translation.

South Dakota School of Mines & Technology
Dr. Travis Walker