So, what is Human AB Serum?

Human AB Serum (hAB) is a vital cell culture reagent for a variety of human cell lines and primary cells. It provides growth factors, vitamins, nutrients as well as trace elements and adherence factors.

Human AB serum has been shown to increase proliferation rates for many human cell lines compared to mixed blood group serum. An additional advantage is that a lower concentration of Human AB is needed, compared to mixed blood group serum. Life Science Group’s hAB comes from male-only blood that are type AB. Human serum from type AB donors lacks antibodies against the A and B blood-type antigens. This makes it commonly used when there is the need to minimize immunoreactivity.

Furthermore, the male-only serum is especially advantageous compared with female or mixed gender serum. This is because there is no risk of the presence of antibodies against major histocompatibility class (MHC) antigens. These can be produced by female donors against antigens carried on the father’s cells and/or the foetus’ cells during pregnancy.

What makes Life Science Group’s serum stand out?

Our core values of Quality, Traceability and Integrity make us a leader in the industry. Our human AB serum which is suitable for manufacturing offers the guarantee of sourcing from FDA Licenced facilities, enhanced donor traceability and additional viral testing compared with standard grade.  This material has a proved track record and is used routinely for manufacturing by over 40 companies developing cell and gene therapies.

We have two types of hAB that are commercially available:

Converted serum is produced by defibrinating pooled human plasma that was collected via plasmapheresis, in the presence of an anticoagulant such as sodium citrate. Defibrination may be achieved using a method that requires the addition of thrombin or then methods reliant on the use of calcium. This material can also be referred to as ‘Plasma-derived’. Human AB serum ‘converted’ is available with the option to be manufactured using recombinant human thrombin or bovine thrombin, as required.

Off-clot serum is collected from blood that is allowed to coagulate naturally after collection. This is carried out without the addition of any anticoagulant.