5 Things To Consider When Customizing Cell Culture Media (And Other Reagents)

Regardless of your lab's size or scale, there will come a time when you need a customized solution for your media, sera, or reagents. Off-the-shelf lab products are great for many production needs, but scientists often find themselves searching for tailor-made options when the standard catalog doesn't quite fit the project.

Scenarios where customized solutions offer the most benefit run the gamut across research areas, whether developing novel formulations for cell culture media, rinses, and cryopreservation solutions or fulfilling exact-volume packaging for fill tolerance control.

Given the flexibility of their applications, custom solutions can meet a range of research and production needs in areas like tissue processing and regenerative medicine, vaccine manufacturing, and downstream purification. But customization isn't only ideal for specialized disciplines. Increasingly, many labs are realizing the value that custom products can bring to day-to-day operations.

But there's a catch: With customization comes many considerations. Researchers who thoughtfully explore each one will be best equipped to reap the benefits of customization with minimal risk, cost, and resources.

Here's what you should consider as you contemplate your options for bespoke lab products.