Pep talk - March 2026
Qkine launches new product line - QkPlate© pre-prepared dried vitronectin-coated plates
Cell culture plates pre-coated with adhesion proteins or extracellular matrix proteins can be a convenient solution, increasing the efficiency and reproducibility of cell culture. After the launch of our ultra-low endotoxin animal origin-free vitronectin (Qk120) we quickly realized that there were no commercially available pre-coated vitronectin plates, so we set out to develop our QkPlate© human vitronectin coated plates:
- Manufactured for maximum reproducibility and convenience
- Dried coating for increased stability
- Store at room temperature
- Currently validated > 6 months from manufacture
Read our application note validating QkPlate© vitronectin coated plates for iPSC maintenance and pluripotency - Enabling robust iPSC maintenance with QkPlate© pre-prepared dried vitronectin-coated plates
View and buy Qk2001 online, contact us at ryan.weber@matriqx.com for a sample plate.
International Women's Day - 8th March 2026
At Qkine, we’re proud to celebrate the incredible women who are part of our team. To mark International Women’s Day, we sat down with some of our colleagues to ask a simple but powerful question: “What does being a woman in my career mean?”
Their reflections highlight the passion, resilience, curiosity and leadership that women bring to science every day. From navigating career paths to inspiring the next generation, these conversations remind us how important it is to continue building environments where women can thrive, contribute and lead.
Last chance to buy online, contact our team or request a quote before 31st March 2026.
Did you miss?
BioLife solutions signs multi-year supply agreement with Qkine Limited to expand its product portfolio into the rapidly growing cytokines market
We’re excited to announce our new partnership with BioLife Solutions, a leading developer and supplier of bioproduction tools and services for the cell and gene therapy (CGT) market. We have entered into a multi-year supply agreement under which BioLife will distribute certain cytokine and growth factor products manufactured by Qkine for use in cell and gene therapy manufacturing.
Qkine Limited and Akron Bio announce strategic partnership
This collaboration combines Qkine’s proprietary growth factor and cytokine technologies with Akron’s established GMP manufacturing capabilities and long-standing focus on providing solutions to cell and gene therapy developers. Together, the companies will accelerate the development and delivery of innovative, high-performance recombinant proteins essential for stem cell expansion, differentiation, and maturation, addressing the need for reliable, consistent, and scalable solutions in the rapidly evolving field of regenerative medicine.
Application note: Generation of a Full Thickness Human Skin Equivalent Using Alvetex® Scaffold and Qkine Growth Factor Supplements
This application note describes a collaborative study between REPROCELL Europe, Durham University and Qkine, designed to evaluate the combined application of REPROCELL’s Alvetex® Scaffold Technology and Qkine high-purity recombinant growth factors optimal skin model generation and reproducibility.
New application notes: StemCultures microencapsulated growth factors
StemCultures controlled-release BDNF and GDNF enhance neuronal cell cultures
StemCultures controlled-release StemBeads® and DISC™ devices encapsulate native proteins to stabilize and provide a consistent level of growth factor. This application note provides validation of the use of StemBeads® Qkine BDNF (Qk-DSCBD1) and GDNF (Qk-DSCGD1) DISC™ devices for improved neuronal cell cultures.
StemCultures controlled-release FGF-2 enhances stem cell maintenance, differentiation and organoid cultures
StemCultures controlled-release StemBeads® and DISC™ devices encapsulate native proteins to stabilize and provide a consistent level of growth factor. This application note provides validation of the use of StemBeads® Qkine FGF-2 (Qk-DSC500 and Qk-DSC505) DISC™ devices for improved iPSC maintenance and differentiation.
What's new?
Our range of co-developed products with StemCultures is expanding
Qkine high purity animal-origin free growth factors are now available in StemCultures hydrogel DISC technology for even more controlled growth factor release.
StemCultures technology increases protein stability, with Qkine high purity, bioactive growth factors and cytokines, these products have the potential to dramatically improve the reproducibility and scalability of 2D and 3D cell cultures.
Available now:
· Qkine FGF-2 DISCs (Standard and Mini sizes)
· Qkine BDNF DISCs
· Qkine GDNF DISCs
Technotes
At Qkine data transparency is our promise. We test all new products against others on the market to ensure each is as bioactive or more, only then will they be approved for sale.
Each new lot is tested to ensure the bioactivity is consistent lot-to-lot, to ensure the most consistent cell cultures and assays. All data is available for all lots, and many are available as technotes.
Why not see if data on your protein of interest is available (if not ask!)
Technote | SCF (Qk078)
Get 40% off our high bioactivity human SCF until 31st March 2026 in our flash sale!
Qkine SCF had equivalent bioactivity as a comparison alternative supplier SCF. Bioactivity was determined by stimulation of proliferation of TF-1 cells. Cells were treated in triplicate with a serial dilution of Qkine SCF (Qk078, green) or alternative supplier SCF (Supplier B black) for 48 hours and proliferation measured using the CellTiter-Glo (Promega) luminescence assay.
Technote | IL-7 (Qk095)
Get 60% off our high bioactivity IL-7 until 31st March 2026 in our flash sale!
Qkine IL-7 was as bioactive as IL-7 from an alternative supplier. Recombinant IL-7 activity was determined using proliferation of the mouse-derived B lymphocyte cell line 2E8. Cells were treated in duplicate with a serial dilution of Qkine IL-7 (Qk095, green) for 65 hours. Cell viability was measured using the CellTiter 96 Aqueous Non-Radioactive Cell Proliferation Assay (Promega). Assay was performed by SBH Sciences using their standard (black) for comparison. Data from Qk095 lot #204669.
Recent publications
Modeling the pathological brain-gut axis in Parkinson’s disease using human iPSC derived brain-intestinal assembloids
Yamagchi, A et al. BioRXiv, February 2026
These findings establish a human stem cell–based platform for investigating brain–gut communication and uncover molecular mechanisms underlying α-synuclein propagation in Parkinson’s disease.
Used Qkine human BMP-4 (Qk038), FGF-4 (Qk004) and R-spondin 1 (Qk006)
Development of a high-efficiency induction system for embryonic oral epithelium from human pluripotent stem cells
All our growth factors are manufactured within a stringent quality framework, ensuring high-quality proteins that maintain robust, reproducible, and physiologically relevant stem cell and organoid cultures that adhere to our Nine-point Quality Commitment.
Upcoming Events
-
- iPSZürich 2026 Symposium | 10 April 2026 | Zurich, Switzerland
- British Society for Gene and Cell Therapy Annual Conference | 15-16 April 2026 | Newcastle, UK
- Danish Stem Cell Society (DASCS) symposium 2026 | 23-24 April 2026 | Copenhagen, Denmark
- ISCT 2026 | 6-9 May 2026 | Dublin, Ireland
- Scientific Laboratory Show & Conference 2026 | 13 May 2026 | Nottingham, UK
We'd always love to meet you at any event, contact ryan.weber@matriqx.com to make an appointment.
What’s next?
Qkine are committed to producing the most high quality and bioactive growth factors and cytokines, coming soon to our extensive portfolio:
- Recombinant human activin A/B protein (Qk127) - Expected April 2026
-
Recombinant GDF-11 (BMP-11) protein (Qk126) - Expected April 2026
-
Recombinant human BMP-7 protein (Qk028) - Expected April 2026
- Recombinant human activin A/C protein (Qk128) - Expected May 2026
If you wish to be notified when proteins are released, contact us ryan.weber@matriqx.com
