serum - free media for growth and proliferation of chondrocytes and mesenchymal stem cells in culture are provided . a serum - free medium for growth of chondrocytes includes a serum - free composition comprising fgf - 2 , linoleic acid , ascorbic acid , b - mercaptoethanol , transferrin and dexamethasone . further , the composition comprises egf , pdgfbb , insulin and albumin . a method for growing chondrocytes in a serum free medium comprising the compostion is also provided . also provided for mesenchymal stem cell growth , is a serum - free medium which includes a composition comprising fgf - 2 , lif , scf , pantotenate , biotin and selenium and method , therefore .