Media

Media are nutrient solutions that support the growth, proliferation, and maintenance of cells in vitro. Our portfolio includes cell culture media for a wide range of cell types. Growth media are formulated with specific supplements to optimize cell health, including serum (FBS, horse serum), growth factors, hormones, and trace elements. Nutrient media provide essential amino acids, vitamins, salts, and energy sources such as glucose or pyruvate. Common formulations include DMEM (Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle Medium), which is widely used for adherent mammalian cells (e.g., HeLa, HEK293, CHO). DMEM is available in high-glucose (4.5 g/L) or low-glucose (1 g/L) versions. RPMI-1640 (Roswell Park Memorial Institute) is preferred for suspension cells like lymphocytes, hybridomas, and many hematopoietic cell lines. MEM (Minimum Essential Medium) is a basal medium used with serum supplementation. F-12 (Ham’s F-12) is nutrient-rich and often used for serum-free applications and for cloning. Ham’s F-12 is also used for chondrocyte and epithelial cell culture. DMEM/F-12 is a 1:1 mixture, commonly used with N2 or B27 supplements for neural cell culture, and for many primary cell types. EMEM (Eagle’s Minimum Essential Medium) is an earlier formulation still used for certain cell lines. Opti-MEM is reduced-serum medium designed for transfection, increasing efficiency with lipofectamine and other reagents. Neurobasal media is designed for primary neuronal cultures without glial overgrowth; it is often used with B27 supplement to support long-term survival of neurons. BEGM (Bronchial Epithelial Cell Growth Medium) supports airway epithelial cells, including human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs). EGM-2 (Endothelial Cell Growth Medium-2) is for HUVEC and other endothelial cells, containing VEGF, FGF, EGF, and hydrocortisone. MCDB 131 is for endothelial cells under low-serum conditions, often used for microvascular endothelial cells. MCDB 105 is for fibroblasts and keratinocytes. Medium 199 (M199) is used for virology, vaccine production, and serum-free applications. Serum-free media eliminate variability from fetal bovine serum; they are defined formulations for specific cell types such as CHO, HEK293, and hybridomas. Defined media contain known concentrations of all components, including recombinant proteins, enabling reproducibility. Protein-free media contain no proteins, only small molecules and salts; they are used for bioproduction to simplify downstream purification. Low-glucose media (e.g., DMEM with 1 g/L glucose) reduce metabolic stress and are used for neurons and primary cells. High-glucose media (e.g., DMEM with 4.5 g/L glucose) support rapidly dividing cells such as cancer cell lines.

Researchers select cell culture media based on cell type and application. RPMI-1640 is standard for growth media of hematopoietic cells and many suspension lines. DMEM is used for most adherent lines. Neurobasal media with B27 supplement supports nutrient media for neurons. Serum-free media are essential for defined studies, such as signaling pathway analysis. Our Media category offers sterile, endotoxin-tested formulations with certificates of analysis. Whether you need Opti-MEM for transfection, BEGM for bronchial epithelial cells, or high-glucose DMEM for cancer cells, we provide the right cell culture media for your research.