Pep talk - April 2026
Qkine expands its distribution network into Canada
We are pleased to welcome a new addition to the Qkine global distributor network as Cedarlane joins us as an official distributor of Qkine products in Canada.
Cedarlane has a long-standing presence in the life science research community, supplying high-quality reagents, antibodies, and laboratory tools to support scientific discovery. As a certified ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 13485:2016, MDSAP establishment, Cedarlane and Qkine are aligned of their commitment to quality.
Through this partnership, researchers in Canada will have improved access to Qkine's high purity growth factors and proteins, supported by Cedarlane’s local expertise and established distribution network.
We look forward to working together to support the research community and enable continued progress in cell and regenerative biology.
Earth Day - 22nd April 2026
This spring, as flowers bloom and the days grow brighter, we’re reminded of the beauty that surrounds us every day.
To celebrate the season, our team has been taking part in a photography competition, capturing moments from the Easter break and beyond that reflect what brings us joy, inspiration, and a connection to the natural world.
To mark Earth Day, we’re sharing some of our favorite snapshots. Each one is a small reminder of why it’s so important to appreciate and protect our planet, not just today, but every day. From peaceful landscapes to simple moments that made us pause and smile, these images reflect the creativity and perspective of our team. We hope they bring a little of that same positivity to your day.
Happy Earth Day!
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.
Did you miss?
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.
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.
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.
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 | FGF-18 (Qk069)
Qkine FGF-18 was found to be as bioactive as FGF-18 from an alternative major supplier. Bioactivity was determined using a FGF-18-response luciferase reporter assay in HEK293T cells. Cells were treated in triplicate with a serial dilution of Qkine FGF-18 (Qk069, green) or Peprotech (100-28, Supplier B, black) for 3 hours. Protein concentrations were measured before use (Peprotech recovery 94%, Qkine 101%). Firefly luciferase activity is measured and normalized to control Renilla luciferase activity.
Technote | FGF-19 (Qk086)
Qkine FGF-19 had comparable bioactivity to a alternative supplier protein. Recombinant FGF-19 activity was determined using a FGF-19-responsive firefly luciferase reporter assay. Transfected HEK293T cells were treated in triplicate with a serial dilution of Qkine FGF-19 (Qk086, green) or Peprotech FGF-19 (100-32, Supplier B, black) for 3 hours. Firefly activity was measured and normalized to the control Renilla luciferase activity. Data from Qk086 lot #204724.
Recent publications
Serum coating enables feeder-free culture of naive human pluripotent stem cells preserving developmental potential
Recapitulating whipworm development in vitro using caecaloids
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
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- 3rd CARMA Conference | 28 April 2026 | Birmingham, UK
- ISCT 2026 | 6-9 May 2026 | Dublin, Ireland
- Scientific Laboratory Show & Conference 2026 | 13 May 2026 | Nottingham, UK
- London Stem Cell Network Annual Meeting 2026 | 15 May 2026 | London, UK
- Queen’s University Belfast post grad symposium | 18 May 2026 | Belfast, NI
- MPS World Summit 2026 | 26-29 May 2026 | Washington, DC, USA
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 May 2026
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Recombinant GDF-11 (BMP-11) protein (Qk126) - Expected May 2026
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Recombinant human BMP-7 protein (Qk028) - Expected May/June 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
