Animal-Free Recombinant Proteins

Ensure a Seamless Transition from Preclinical Research to Clinical Manufacturing

R&D Systems has produced high quality proteins for the research community for more than 35 years. To support developing research and bioproduction demands, we offer products manufactured in a laboratory exclusively dedicated to the production and purification of recombinant proteins under animal-free conditions. Preclinical animal-free proteins are particularly important for researchers concerned with experimental variables caused by trace animal components or mammalian pathogens. Our products generated under animal-free conditions share the same biological activities as those produced using our standard laboratory techniques. Both the preclinical animal-free proteins and the corresponding GMP proteins are manufactured using the same method and have identical expression systems. This ensures a seamless transition from preclinical development to the clinical stage.

Animal-Free RUO Proteins are highly recommended for:

Researchers whose preclinical work has the potential of progressing into clinical trials or clinical manufacturing
Researchers who need defined culture conditions and are particularly concerned about experimental variables caused by the presence of trace animal components or mammalian pathogens
Researchers who are concerned about animal-derived reagents due to regulatory or ethical issues

Preclinical Animal-Free RUO Proteins			Animal-Free GMP-Grade Proteins
Protein (Human; Source: E. coli)	Animal-Free RUO Protein (Catalog #)	Animal-Free RUO Protein Sample Request Link	Animal-Free GMP-grade Protein (Catalog #)
Activin A	AFL338	Request Sample
BDNF	BT-BDNF-AFL	Request Sample	BT-BDNF-GMP
Betacellulin	BT-BTC-AFL	Request Sample	BT-BTC-GMP**
BMP-4	AFL314E	Request Sample	314E-GMP
CD40 Ligand/TNFSF5 (a.a. 108-261)	AFL617	Request Sample
EGF	AFL236	Request Sample	236-GMP**
FGF acidic/FGF1	AFL232	Request Sample
FGF basic/FGF2/bFGF	BT-FGFB-AFL	Request Sample	BT-FGFB-GMP
Flt-3 ligand/FLT3L	BT-FT3L-AFL	Request Sample	BT-FT3L-GMP
G-CSF	AFL214	Request Sample
GM-CSF	AFL215	Request Sample	215-GMP
IFN-gamma	AFL285	Request Sample	285-GMP**
IGF-I/IGF-1	AFL291	Request Sample	291-GMP**
IL-1 beta/IL-1F2	AFL201	Request Sample	201-GMP
IL-2*	BT-002-AFL	Request Sample	BT-002-GMP**
IL-3	AFL203	Request Sample	203-GMP
IL-4	BT-004-AFL	Request Sample	BT-004-GMP**
IL-6	AFL206	Request Sample	206-GMP**
IL-7*	BT-007-AFL	Request Sample	BT-007-GMP**
IL-10	AFL1064	Request Sample	1064-GMP
IL-15*	BT-015-AFL	Request Sample	BT-015-GMP**
IL-21*	BT-021-AFL	Request Sample	BT-021-GMP
M-CSF	AFL216	Request Sample	216-GMP
PDGF-AA	AFL221	Request Sample	221-GMP
PDGF-BB	AFL220	Request Sample	220-GMP
SCF/c-kit Ligand	BT-SCF-AFL	Request Sample	BT-SCF-GMP**
Sonic Hedgehog/Shh	AFL1845	Request Sample	1845-GMP
Thrombopoietin		Request Sample	288E-GMP**
TNF-alpha	AFL210	Request Sample	210-GMP
VEGF	BT-VEGF-AFL	Request Sample	BT-VEGF-GMP**

* Liquid formulations for GMP and animal-free preclinical grades of these cytokines are now available. Request further information.

** DMF have been filed for these GMP Proteins.

Benefits of Using R&D Systems Animal-Free Proteins

Improved Cell Culture Consistency: Animal-free RUO proteins eliminate variability caused by trace animal components.
Improved Cell Product Safety Profile: Animal-free RUO proteins eliminate the risk of contamination by mammalian pathogens.
Seamless transition from preclinical research to clinical manufacturing: R&D Systems™ Animal-free RUO proteins originate from the same clone, sequence, and expression system as our Animal-free GMP-grade proteins, allowing for a seamless transition from preclinical research into clinical manufacturing.
Equivalent Bioactivity: Our products generated under animal-free conditions are rigorously tested to ensure that they retain the same biological activities as the corresponding research-grade and Animal-free GMP-grade proteins.
High Lot-to-Lot Consistency: Each new lot is tested side-by-side with previous lots and with a master lot to ensure high lot-to-lot consistency.
High Purity and Low Endotoxin Levels: Our proteins are typically over 95% pure and have a guaranteed industry-leading endotoxin level of <0.1 EU/ug by the LAL method.
Supply Chain Reliability: Our team has the experience and the capacity to ensure that we can provide you with a stable supply of the proteins you need for your research.
Bulk Proteins at Discounted Prices: We have the capacity and the expertise to scale up the production of any protein and we offer economical pricing on bulk orders.
Custom Protein Capabilities: For specialized protein requests, you can always contact our Custom Protein Services team. We have the expertise and the systems necessary to develop the proteins required to advance your research.
Comprehensive Portfolio of Reagents for Your Entire Workflow: Along with our proteins, Bio-Techne also offers a wide range of other products for immune cell, stem cell, and organoid culture and characterization, including media, media supplements, antibodies, immunoassays, Cultrex™ Basement Membrane Extracts, Tocris™ small molecules, RNAscope™ ISH assays, and analytical instruments to automate different steps of your workflow.

R&D Systems Animal-Free RUO Proteins and the Corresponding Animal-Free GMP-Grade Proteins Are Tested to Ensure that they Display Similar Levels of Bioactivity

Animal-Free RUO and GMP-Grade Recombinant Human IL-2 Display Equivalent Bioactivity. The bioactivities of Animal-Free RUO Recombinant Human IL-2 (Catalog # BT-002-AFL; orange line) and GMP-grade Recombinant Human IL-2 (Catalog # BT-002-GMP; green line) were compared by testing the ability of the proteins to stimulate proliferation of the CTLL-2 mouse cytotoxic T cell line.

Animal-Free RUO and GMP-Grade Recombinant Human IL-4 Display Equivalent Bioactivity. The bioactivities of Animal-Free RUO Recombinant Human IL-4 (Catalog # AFL204; orange line) and GMP-grade Recombinant Human IL-4 (Catalog # 204-GMP; green line) were compared by testing the ability of the proteins to stimulate proliferation of the TF-1 human erythroleukemic cell line.

Animal-Free RUO and GMP-Grade Recombinant Human IL-15 Display Equivalent Bioactivity. The bioactivities of Animal-Free RUO Recombinant Human IL-15 (Catalog # BT-015-AFL; orange line) and GMP-grade Recombinant Human IL-15 (Catalog # BT-015-GMP; green line) were compared by testing the ability of the proteins to stimulate proliferation of the MO7e human megakaryocytic leukemic cell line.

Protein Characterization Using SEC-MALS Analysis

A graph showing size exclusion chromatography multi-angle light scattering data for animal-free IFN-gamma recombinant protein

Animal-Free™ Recombinant Human IFN‑ gamma Protein SEC-MALS. Recombinant Human IFN-gamma (Catalog # AFL285) has a molecular weight (MW) of 34.1 kDa as analyzed by SEC-MALS, suggesting that this protein is a homodimer. MW may differ from predicted MW due to post-translational modifications (PTMs) present (i.e. Glycosylation).

SEC-MALS Data	Result
Retention Time	18.3-18.9 min
MW-Predicted (Monomer)	16.9 kDa
MW-MALS	34.1 kDa
Polydispersity	1.002
System Suitability: BSA Monomer 66.4 ± 3.32 kDa	Pass

R&D Systems Animal-Free Proteins Display High Lot-to-Lot Consistency

Analysis of the Lot-to-Lot Consistency of Animal-Free RUO Recombinant Human Betacellulin. Two independent lots of Animal-Free RUO Recombinant Human Betacellulin (Catalog # BT-BTC-AFL) were tested for their ability to stimulate proliferation of Balb/3T3 mouse embryonic fibroblast cells. The ED₅₀ for this effect is 0.1-1.5 ng/mL. Each trace on the graph represents data obtained from Animal-Free RUO Recombinant Human Betacellulin from a different manufacturing run, demonstrating the lot-to-lot consistency of the protein.

Analysis of the Lot-to-Lot Consistency of Animal-Free RUO Recombinant Human IL-2. Two independent lots of Animal-Free RUO Recombinant Human IL-2 (Catalog # BT-002-AFL) were tested for their ability to stimulate proliferation of the CTLL-2 mouse cytotoxic T cell line. The ED₅₀for this effect is 0.03-0.25 ng/mL. Each trace on the graph represents data obtained from Animal-Free RUO Recombinant Human IL-2 from a different manufacturing run, demonstrating the lot-to-lot consistency of the protein.

Analysis of the Lot-to-Lot Consistency of Animal-Free RUO Recombinant Human IL-15. Two independent lots of Animal-Free RUO Recombinant Human IL-15 (Catalog # BT-015-AFL) were tested for their ability to stimulate proliferation of the MO7e human megakaryocytic leukemic T cell line. The ED₅₀ for this effect is 0.3-2.6 ng/mL. Each trace on the graph represents data obtained from Animal-Free RUO Recombinant Human IL-15 from a different manufacturing run, demonstrating the lot-to-lot consistency of the protein.

Custom Protein Services

If you are unable to find the Animal-Free RUO protein that you need on our website, please contact our Custom Protein Services team. They will work with you to create a customized protein solution to meet your specific research needs.

Bulk Proteins

Animal-Free Manufacturing Conditions

Our dedicated controlled-access animal-free laboratories ensure that at no point in production are the products exposed to potential contamination by animal products. Every stage of manufacturing is conducted in compliance with R&D Systems stringent Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Production and purification procedures use equipment and media that are confirmed animal-free.

R&D Systems uses dedicated animal-free fermenters in controlled-access labs. This ensures that the products are never exposed to potential contamination by animal products.

Production

All molecular biology procedures use animal-free media and dedicated labware.
Dedicated fermentors are utilized in committed animal-free areas.

Purification

Protein purification columns are animal-free.
Bulk proteins are filtered using animal-free filters.
Purified proteins are stored in animal-free containers in a dedicated cold storage room.

Quality Assurance

Endotoxin Level: < 1.0 EU per 1 µg of product.
No impairment of biological activity.
High quality product obtained under stringent conditions.
For ex vivo research or bioproduction, additional documentation can be provided.

Please read our complete Animal-Free Statement

R&D Systems uses dedicated animal-free fermenters in controlled-access labs. This ensures that the products are never exposed to potential contamination by animal components or byproducts.

Animal-Free RUO Protein Sample Request

For a limited time, Bio-Techne is offering free samples of R&D Systems™ Animal-Free RUO proteins. Please fill out the form below, specifying which Animal-Free RUO protein you are interested in testing, and a Team Member will reach out to confirm shipping and send you a sample of the designated protein while supplies last. Interested in sampling more than one Animal-Free RUO protein? Let us know in the Comments box.

Terms and Conditions: No purchase necessary. This promotion is available in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. The sample is for the protein indicated at the top of this form and samples will be honored while supplies last. Limit one free sample per customer. Offer void where prohibited, licensed, or restricted by federal, state, provincial, or local lows or regulation or agency/institutional policy. Other restrictions may apply.