Why Gamma-Irradiated FBS Is the Better Choice for Your Cell Culture Work
When it comes to sourcing fetal bovine serum (FBS) for cell culture, quality and safety are paramount. One key decision many labs face is whether to use standard sterile-filtered FBS or to invest in gamma-irradiated FBS. While both undergo filtration and quality control, gamma-irradiated FBS offers a higher level of sterility assurance, particularly for sensitive or high-stakes research.
In this blog, we’ll explore what gamma irradiation is, why it matters, and when it makes sense to choose gamma-irradiated FBS, especially in regulatory, biomanufacturing, or pathogen-sensitive applications.
What Is Gamma-Irradiated FBS?
Gamma-irradiated FBS is fetal bovine serum that has undergone additional sterilisation via gamma irradiation, a process that exposes the serum to ionising radiation (typically from cobalt-60) to eliminate any residual microbial contaminants, including:
• Bacteria
• Fungi
• Mycoplasma
• Viruses
• Potential prion-related agents
The process does not alter the nutritional profile of the serum or damage key growth factors, but it does ensure a higher level of biosafety—especially compared to heat-based methods, which can degrade proteins and hormones.
Why Use Gamma Irradiation?
Gamma irradiation is widely recognised as one of the most effective methods for inactivating a broad spectrum of potential contaminants without compromising the functional integrity of the serum. This makes it ideal for:
• Biopharmaceutical manufacturing
Where any contamination can compromise an entire batch or violate GMP compliance.
• Vaccine production and viral research
To prevent interference with live or attenuated viral agents and reduce biosafety risks.
• Diagnostics and therapeutics
Where trace levels of pathogens can alter assay performance or invalidate results
• Import/export requirements
Many countries and institutions require gamma-irradiated FBS for cross-border transport to minimise biohazard risk.
Key Advantages of Gamma-Irradiated FBS
|
Feature |
Benefit |
|
Enhanced sterility |
Effective in eliminating viruses, mycoplasma, and prions that may escape filtration |
|
Low endotoxin levels |
Safer for immune cell assays and sensitive lines |
|
Preserved growth performance |
Maintains support for robust cell growth and viability |
|
Regulatory compliance |
Meets strict standards for GMP, biosafety, and traceability |
|
Peace of mind |
Reduces downstream risk in critical workflows |
When Should You Choose Gamma-Irradiated FBS?
You might not need gamma-irradiated FBS for every application, but there are specific use cases where it's strongly recommended or even required:
• Working with primary human cells or stem cells
• Performing viral vector development or gene therapy research
• Operating under GMP conditions or ISO certification
• Submitting products for regulatory approval (MHRA, EMA, FDA)
• Conducting international research collaborations with strict import guidelines
In these cases, the additional cost of gamma-irradiated FBS is outweighed by the reduced risk of contamination, repeat work, and regulatory non-compliance.