As part of the research with cell cultures or 3D bioorganic prints, fetal calf sera, matrigel or labeled antibodies from animals are used today. Independent of the ethical concerns, these substances are of animal origin, and not suitable for cell and organ models with human material, although cells grow well due to the ingredients. Also, the sera are not chemically precisely defined and each batch varies in composition.

Prof. Jens Kurreck and his team are establishing and researching lung and liver organ models for medical research with the aim of replacing animal experiments. These include that they are dependent on the use of culture media and bio-ink, but they develop this without any animal ingredients. They develop a complete process that does not contain any substances derived from animals.

Although, so-called chemically defined nutrient media already exist, without animal components. However, they cannot be applied on a broad scale - each cell culture has to be adapted to them individually. In addition, these media do not yet function as well as the FCS.

The Herbert Stiller Award of the Doctors Against Animal Experiments Association is worth 20,000 euros. The scientists want to use the money to develop a bio-ink for lung and liver organ models in which both the FCS and the matrix and gelatin are replaced.

Source:
https://www.tu-berlin.de/?209420