Biological coatings to expand stem cells are inherently complex and non-defined growth surfaces that frequently reduce experimental reproducibility. This is exacerbated by lot-to-lot variations of coating media, by use of undefined growth factors and extracellular matrix (ECM) components known to sustain cell adhesion and pluripotency, as well as by a potential pathogen contamination risk during preparation and storage. Therefore, to provide defined conditions fully synthetic, animal-/human-component-free culture systems are of great interest.

However, in contrast to other types of stem cells, synthetic and ready-to-use growth surfaces are currently not available for human induced PSCs (hiPSCs). Eppendorf now introduced a ready-to-use surface with synthetic fibronectin-derived motifs to support cell attachment by mimicking native ECM proteins. According to the manufacturer, this novel surface supports long-term expansion of hiPSCs over 25 passages and is also suitable for hMSCs and other ECM-dependent cells. Furthermore, it allows expansion of stem cells in xeno-free and restrictive culture conditions, aiming to provide a completely defined culture system for PSCs without animal or human components.