Research Areas

Organoid Research

Captivate Bio supports organoid research with cell culture media, small molecules, media supplements, cytokines, growth factors, and custom media services tailored to your protocols. From maintaining starting cells to exploring differentiation conditions and planning larger studies, we help research teams access the components you need.

Complex models.
Practical support.

Culturing organoids requires a carefully selected combination of reagents tailored to the tissue type, starting cells, and stage of development. Basal media provide essential nutrients, while supplements, growth factors, and small molecules help guide cell survival, expansion, differentiation, and maturation. Many protocols also use an extracellular matrix or hydrogel to provide a supportive three-dimensional environment. Together, these components create the conditions cells need to organize into tissue-like structures, with formulations and timing optimized for each organoid model.

Whether you are establishing a new model or preparing for a larger study, start with your protocol by contacting Captivate Bio today for practical support and reagent sourcing.

What are Organoids?

Organoids are small, lab-grown models that mimic the structure and function of human organs and are transforming how researchers study disease and test treatments. A wide variety of organoid models have been successfully cultured, including lung¹, liver², kidney, brain³, pancreas, intestinal⁴, and more. These 3D culture systems have demonstrated tremendous potential in disease modeling, biobanking, drug testing, immunotherapy development, and regenerative medicine.

Derived from pluripotent stem cells, adult tissue stem cells, or patient tissue, the examples below are from research institutes studying different tissues, illustrate how these diverse models take shape.

Lung Organoids

Cincinnati Children’s Hospital

Liver Organoids

MIT Department of Biology

Brain Organoids

Harvard Stem Cell Institute

Intestinal Organoids

Baylor College of Medicine

Tools for Organoid Culture

Media and Media Supplements

We offer a variety of serum-free basal media including DMEM and DMEM/12 for organoid cultures, including media with or without glucose, L-glutamine, HEPES, NEAA, nucleosides, phenol red, or sodium pyruvate
NEW! CB-27™ and CB-N2™ serum-free media supplements to support organoid cultures
Our catalog includes CRYOVATE™ freezing media and endotoxin-free salt solutions.
Offering one of the largest portfolios of human platelet lysate in the market. Products are available in research or GMP-grade formats.

Proteins for Organoid Culture

We offer a unique catalog of proteins commonly used for organoid culture, including growth factors that are difficult to express and purify such as R-Spondin-1, Noggin, and Wnt-3a.
All of our recombinant proteins are rigorously tested to ensure high levels of bioactivity and low endotoxin levels.
Captivate Bio recombinant proteins can be ordered in bulk and custom protein sourcing services are also available.
Key growth factors include Activin A, KGF/FGF-7 Protein, BMP, EGF, and FGF.

Small Molecules for Organoids

A large selection of small molecules that are commonly used as 3-D growth matrix components and additives for long-term organoid growth are available.
Our catalog includes the ALK kinase inhibitor, A83-01, the highly selective GSK-3 inhibitor CHIR99021, the potent ROCK inhibitor, Y-27632, the p38 MAPK inhibitor, SB 216763, and many more.
Custom sourcing services and bulk discounts of your specific small molecules are available.
GMP-grade small molecules are also available.

From culture reagents to cleaner workspaces—support for your organoid research.

Support your organoid research beyond the culture medium. CAPTiCLEAN™ helps prevent microbial contamination in CO₂ incubator water trays, complementing routine maintenance and aseptic practices around your organoid cultures.

Broad antimicrobial activity: Effective against bacteria, yeast, and fungi.
Non-volatile, non-corrosive formulation: Designed for incubator water-tray maintenance.

Shop CAPTiCLEAN Solution

CAPTiCLEAN incubator solution for water trays

References

Image: Lung Organoid. Miao Y, Pek N, Tan C., Co-development of mesoderm and endoderm enables organotypic vascularization in lung and gut organoids. Cell, 2025; 188, 4295-4313.e27
Image: Liver Organoid (Award) Patrick Fortuna, MIT Department of Biological Engineering, Koch Institute at MIT
Image: Brain Organoid. Organoids: A new window into disease, development and discovery. Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Arlotta laboratory.
Image: Human intestinal organoid. A pipeline for rapid, high-throughput imaging and quantitative analysis of human intestinal organoids. Faith M. Sawyer, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0332418.
Tang, XY., Wu, S., Wang, D. et al. Human organoids in basic research and clinical applications. Sig Transduct Target Ther 7, 168 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41392-022-01024-9

Need Custom Media for your organoid project?

For those looking to outsource the manufacturing of your basal media, salt solutions, or specialty formulations – we can help. Captivate Bio’s custom and contract media services are designed to fit your timeline, workflow, and budget requirements. Custom media is manufactured in the United States under cGMP and in ISO-certified facilities.

From bottles and bags, to larger-scale production lots, we will guide you throughout the entire project with flexibility and transparency. Contact us today to get started.

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