An artistic, abstract depiction of a human umbilical cord, symbolizing vascular structures, with the word “HUVECs” referencing human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

HUVEC Cell Culture: Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells for Vascular Research

HUVECs (Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells) are primary human endothelial cells isolated from the umbilical cord vein. They are considered the gold standard model for vascular and endothelial research and are widely used in studies of angiogenesis, endothelial function, and cardiovascular biology. HUVECs provide a robust and reproducible platform for investigating human vascular physiology and disease mechanisms.

Key Research Applications of HUVECs

HUVECs are versatile and widely applied in the following areas:

    • Angiogenesis and vasculogenesis – modeling new blood vessel formation in 2D and 3D systems
    • Endothelial function and vascular biology – including endothelial dysfunction studies and procoagulation activity assays
    • Cancer research – studying tumor–endothelium interactions
    • Wound healing and tissue regeneration – assessing endothelial contribution to repair processes
    • Cardiovascular disease studies – such as atherosclerosis and other vascular disorders

Essential Products and Reagents for reliable HUVEC Culture

To ensure reproducible results, high-quality products and careful experimental design are critical:

Contact us today to discuss how our HUVECs, defined media, and optimized coatings can help you achieve reproducible, physiologically relevant results.

Targatt™ Large Knock-in Technology for iPSC Research

Large DNA knock-in made precise, scalable, and consistent

The proprietary TARGATT™ Large Knock-in Technology enables rapid, efficient, and site-specific integration of large DNA payloads (≥50 kb) into mammalian genomes. By targeting the well-characterized H11 safe harbor locus, TARGATT™ delivers single-copy, stable transgene insertion with highly reproducible expression – ideal for iPSC engineering, cell therapy development, and advanced research applications.

Key benefits:

  • Single-copy integration at a predefined genomic site
  • Large insert capacity (50 kb and beyond), including multi-gene constructs
  • Site-specific recombination in the H11 safe harbor locus
  • Consistent long-term expression
  • Negligible off-target activity

This makes the TARGATT™ Knock-in Technology for iPSC research particularly attractive for cell and gene therapy developers and basic research on complex iPSC-based disease models.

How TARGATT™ technology works

TARGATT™ is based on an integrase–mediated recombination system using two short DNA recognition sequences: attB and attP.

Mechanism of action:

  1. The donor plasmid contains the DNA payload and one recombination site (attB or attP).
  2. The host genome harbors the complementary site, introduced as a TARGATT™ landing pad pre-engineered into the H11 safe harbor locus.
  3. The TARGATT™ integrase binds both sites and catalyzes a precise, site-specific recombination event.
  4. A single copy of the donor construct is stably integrated at the target locus.
  5. The attB and attP sites are destroyed during recombination, making the process unidirectional and irreversible, ensuring long-term genomic stability.

 

Schematic description of TARGATT Technology

Available Products and Services:

AST-1602 TARGATT™ Female hiPSC Knock-in Kit

AST-9450 TARGATT™ hiPSC Knock-in Kit (GMP-Matching)

AST-9650 TARGATT™ Hypo hiPSC Knock-in Kit (Hypoimmunogenic)

AST-6012T  TARGATT™ Site-specific Knock-in iPSC Service

AST-6001 TARGATT™ Master Cell Line Generation Service (Custom)

Ready-to-Use iPSC-Derived Cells – Always Available for Your Research

Harness the power and consistency of Applied StemCell’s human ready-to-use iPSC-derived cells. Whether you are working in neuroscience, cardiovascular biology, hematopoiesis, or ophthalmology, you will find the right model for your research needs.

Our portfolio includes:

Each cell type comes with carefully matched culture media, ensuring reproducible results and optimal performance. With off-the-shelf availability, you no longer need to wait for complex differentiation protocols—simply focus on your science.

Special Offer: Get 25% off Applied StemCell’s entire ready-to-use iPSC-derived cells and media portfolio until December 31, 2025. Don’t miss the chance to elevate your research with reliable, ready-to-use human models.

Don’t see what you need?
If you don’t find the iPSC-derived product you’re looking for, we offer access to custom services—including genome editing and targeted differentiation in normal or diseased cells—to help move your project forward with confidence.

Contact us to discuss your needs in detail.

Hypoimmunogenic hiPSC Platforms for Advanced Allogeneic Research

The future of allogeneic cell therapy depends on overcoming one of its greatest hurdles: immune rejection.
To support this challenge in research, we now offer two powerful research-use-only (RUO) tools designed to accelerate the development of universal, off-the-shelf cell therapies:
ActiCells™ RUO Hypo hiPSCs (ASE-9550) and the
ActiCells™ RUO TARGATT™ Hypo hiPSC Knock-in Kit (AST-9650).

A Hypoimmunogenic Foundation for Universal Therapies

Both products are derived from CD34⁺ umbilical cord blood cells, a neonatal source selected for its low mutational burden and reduced immunogenicity compared to adult tissues.
The core cell line has been precisely gene-edited to knock out β2 microglobulin (B2M) and the HLA class II transactivator (CIITA), both key regulators of HLA class I and II expression.
This dual knockout significantly reduces immune recognition and T cell-mediated rejection, making these cells an ideal foundation for building universal donor cell types in allogeneic research.

These ActiCells™ tools combine:

  • a shared hypoimmunogenic design
  • robust pluripotency
  • and, in the Knock-in Kit, TARGATT™-enabled genome engineering compatibility

– empowering researchers to efficiently test, modify, and advance their therapeutic concepts.

Two Flexible Solutions for Hypoimmunogenic Research

ActiCells™ RUO Hypo hiPSCs (ASE-9550)

This transgene-free, well-characterized cell line provides a stable, pluripotent foundation for developing customized cell-based products. Each lot is validated for:

  • post-thaw viability
  • differentiation into all three germ layers
  • expression of pluripotency markers (OCT4, SOX2, NANOG, SSEA-4, TRA-1-60)
  • presence of alkaline phosphatase
  • short tandem repeat profiling (STR)
  • sterility as well as absence of mycoplasma and pathogens

ActiCells™ RUO TARGATT™ Hypo hiPSC Knock-in Kit (AST-9650)

For immediate genome engineering applications, this kit includes the hypoimmunogenic ActiCells™ cell line pre-engineered with TARGATT™ knock-in technology at the H11 safe harbor locus.

Each ActiCells™ RUO TARGATT™ Hypo hiPSCs Knock-in Kit contains sufficient reagents for 3 transfections and includes:

  • ActiCells™ RUO TARGATT™ Hypo hiPSCs
  • TARGATT™ 46 CAG-MCS Cloning Plasmid for therapeutic payloads up to 20 kb
  •  TARGATT™ CAG-Integrase Plasmid for precise genomic insertion

This platform enables site-specific, stable transgene integration with minimal off-target risk or gene silencing – allowing for efficient generation of custom-engineered lines either in your laboratory or via our custom iPSC gene editing services.

Together, these two innovative research-use-only products offer a robust, flexible, and future-ready platform for researchers working on next-generation allogeneic therapies.

Ready to take the next step?
Contact us to discuss how these innovative hypoimmunogenic hiPSC solutions can accelerate your allogeneic research projects.

NEW: Ribonuclease U2

Recommended for nucleic acid research applications, including RNA sequencing, RNA modification, and mapping, Ribonuclease U2 (RNase U2) offers the following features:

  • Purine-selective, with a preference for adenosine (cleavage specificity: A > G > C > U)
  • Hydrolyzes 3’-linked ribonucleotides, producing nucleoside 3’-phosphates and 3’-phosphooligonucleotides that end in Ap or Gp, with 2’,3’-cyclic intermediates
  • Optimal activity at pH 4.5

Key Benefits:

  • Animal-free: produced without animal-derived materials
  • Chromatographically purified to ensure high quality
  • Supplied as a lyophilized powder for easy handling and storage (stable for 1 year at 2-8°C)
  • Produced recombinantly in Komagataella phaffii (formerly P. pastoris), reducing contaminant nucleases and proteases, and eliminating potential pathogens associated with animal-derived materials
Bio-Spun Scaffolds Mounted onto Corning HTS Transwell Plates

NEW! Bio-Spun™ Scaffolds for 3D Cell Culture Applications

With Bio-Spun™ Scaffolds from BioSurfaces, CellSystems now offers an innovative solution for optimising and standardising complex 3D cell cultures. Produced using a patented electrospinning technology, these scaffolds form a random, nanofibrous 3D structure that closely resembles the extracellular matrix (ECM) of natural tissue.

Comparison of an microscopic picuture of Bio-Spun scaffold material with body's natural scaffold.

Fully animal-free and available in biodegradable or non-biodegradable polymers, the scaffolds promote more physiological cell interactions, help reduce stress responses, and improve the transferability of results to in vivo systems. They also prevent unwanted ECM breakdown and remodelling – a clear advantage over many animal-derived matrices.

Typical applications include:
• Skin models (e.g. irritation, sensitisation, wound healing)
• Airway models (e.g. infection research, inhalation toxicology, drug delivery)
• Models for eye, tumour, skeletal muscle, neurons, blood-brain barrier, liver and more

Key product benefits:
• 100% animal-free
• Choice of biodegradable or non-biodegradable polymers
• Low batch-to-batch variation for reliable, reproducible results

• Saves time and cost in development and testing

Available formats:

Inserts compatible with 6-, 12- and 24-well Plates, as well as ready-to-use 24- and 96-well High-Throughput Screening Plates

• Materials:
– Non-degradable polymers (PET, PU)
– Biodegradable polymers (PDLGA, PDLGA/PLLA Bilayer)
• Membrane thicknesses:
– PET: 150 μm
– PU: 20 μm
– PDLGA: 10 μm
– PDLGA/PLLA Bilayer: 100 μm

Not sure which scaffold to choose? The Bio-Spun™ Scaffold Overview helps you match the right product to your specific application and tissue model.

Meet Advanced BioMatrix at TERMIS 2025

Advanced BioMatrix will be co-exhibiting with  CELLINK at TERMIS 2025, taking place at the Freiburg Congress Center from May 20–23, 2025.

Visit Advanced BioMatrix at Booth 15 to explore solutions for your advanced cell culture application. From optimizing 3D cultures and matrix coatings to bioprinting and hydrogel-based systems — explore how these products can support cutting-edge research in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. 

Let’s talk science – see you in Freiburg!

Person wearing sterile protective clothing handling equipment in a bioprocessing lab.

NUCxyme™ — High-Performance DNA/RNA Nuclease for Nucleic Acid Removal in Research & Bioprocessing

NUCxyme™ is a highly specific, sequence-independent endonuclease that degrades all forms of DNA and RNA — single-stranded, double-stranded, linear, and circular. It hydrolyzes nucleic acids into 3–5 base oligonucleotides with 5’ monophosphate termini, effectively reducing viscosity from cellular extracts and eliminating residual DNA/RNA in complex samples.

Recombinantly produced in Komagataella phaffii, NUCxyme™ is free of animal-derived materials, endotoxins, and proteases — making it highly suitable for sensitive applications in biotechnology and downstream processing.

Key Features

  • Exceptional Nuclease Activity
    Rapid and complete digestion of linear and circular forms of ssDNA, dsDNA, and RNA
  • High Purity and Safety
    Free from proteases, endotoxins, and animal-derived materials.
  • Yeast-Expressed, Recombinant
    Produced in Komagataella phaffii to avoid contaminants found in bacterial or animal-based sources.
  • Ready-to-Use Liquid Format
    Supplied in 20 mM Tris-HCl, 2 mM MgCl₂, 20 mM NaCl, pH 8.0 with 50% glycerol.

NUCxyme™ is offered in 25 ku and 100 ku formats. Please contact us for bulk or custom quantities.

microRNA-activated hydrogels for enhanced cartilage repair

Articular cartilage has limited capacity for repair given its non-vascularized connective tissue structure and low cellular density. This study, recently published by Shan An et al., describes the development of an injectable microRNA (miR)-activated hydrogel for cartilage repair. The hydrogel is based on  Lifeink 200® collagen type I hydrogel, combined with methacrylated hyaluronic acid and collagen type II, which was used to deliver a pro-chondrogenic miR-221 inhibitor to stem cells.

Down-regulation of miR-221 did not affect cell viability and enhanced chondrogenesis resulting in improved cartilage-like matrix formation with significantly higher levels of sulfated glycosaminoglycans (sGAG) and col II produced by cells in the hydrogel. These results provide evidence of the potential of the miR-activated hydrogel as a minimally invasive therapeutic strategy for articular cartilage repair.

Shan An, et al. Materials Today Bio, 30 (2025) 101382: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtbio.2024.101382

Advancing Hematologic Disease Research with 3D Bone Marrow Models

A major challenge in hematologic disease research is the development of model systems that accurately replicate human pathophysiology in vivo. Recent advancements in three-dimensional (3D) ex vivo modeling using human-induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived bone marrow organoids provide a physiologically relevant approach to studying hematologic diseases.

Innovations in Bone Marrow Organoid Models

Recent studies have demonstrated that human iPSCs cultured in a hydrogel matrix enriched with human Collagen I (VitroCol, #5007-20mL) and human Collagen IV (#5022) support the formation of vascularized, myelopoietic bone marrow organoids. These matrices provide an optimized extracellular environment essential for the development of mesenchymal stromal cells, fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and hematopoietic cells, closely resembling the native bone marrow niche.[1-3]

Bone Marrow Organoids as a Platform for Hematologic Malignancies

Bone marrow organoids have been successfully used to support the engraftment, survival, and proliferation of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells as well as primary cells from patients with myeloid and lymphoid blood cancers.[1]

Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) from patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs) efficiently engraft into bone marrow organoids, biomimicking the disease’s pathophysiology.[3]

The ability of these organoids to autonomously maintain hematopoiesis and sustain the marrow microenvironment underscores their potential as a transformative model for studying hematopoietic disorders and evaluating novel therapeutic strategies.

References

[1] Khan, A. et al. Cancer Discov (2023) 13 (2): 364–385.
[2] Olijnik, AA. et al. Nature Protocols (2024) 19: 2117–2146.
[3] Ren, K. et al.  Blood Adv (2025) 9 (1): 54–65