How can HUVECs be successfully isolated from umbilical cords without using antibiotics?

At PromoCell, HUVECs are routinely isolated under antibiotic‑free conditions by applying a tissue‑handling strategy that minimizes microbial contamination from the outset.
 
Key principles of the isolation process
1. Antibiotic‑free tissue transport
- Umbilical cords are obtained from tissue suppliers without the addition of buffers or transport media.
- This prevents microorganisms from being washed into the blood vessels, particularly the umbilical vein.
2. Creation of sterile access points
- Prior to cell isolation, the umbilical cord is cut at both ends using a sterile scalpel.
- This provides sterile cross‑sections, in addition to the naturally sterile vessel lumen.
3. Antibiotic‑free cell isolation and culture
- This handling approach allows the isolation of sterile endothelial cells from the umbilical vein.
- HUVECs can therefore be plated and cultured directly in antibiotic‑free media.