Cell Culture

<h2>What is PriGrow Media?</h2>
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PriGrow Media is a proprietary series of basal cell culture media developed and distributed by MBP in partnership with ABM (Applied Biological Materials), where each individual PriGrow formulation, such as PriGrow I, PriGrow IV, or PriGrow X, has a distinct composition of HEPES and bicarbonate buffers, nutrient concentrations, and basal supplements specifically optimized to support the growth of a defined set of specialized cell lines or primary cell types. Unlike standard media like DMEM or RPMI that are broadly formulated for a wide range of cell lines, each PriGrow formulation is a targeted solution for cell types that do not grow well, or grow inconsistently, in standard mammalian cell culture media.
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<h2 dir="ltr">What you will find:</h2>
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Endothelial and epithelial formulations optimized to preserve critical barrier functions and&nbsp;unique physiological phenotypes in specialized vascular cell lines.
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Myogenic media for the smooth and skeletal muscle cells in vitro proliferation, functional maintenance, and structural preservation
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Hepatic induction systems for supporting liver cell research, drug metabolism profiling, and long-term functional assays.
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Serum-free, chemically defined solutions for regulation of multi-lineage differentiation, progenitor line expansion, and high-yield recovery after thawing.
</li>
</ul>
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<h2>How to use PriGrow Media</h2>
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Identify the correct PriGrow variant for your cell type
Each MBP primary or specialized cell line product lists the recommended PriGrow variant in its data sheet. Using the wrong variant may result in suboptimal growth or inconsistent results, so matching the variant to the cell type is the critical first step.
Add FBS at 10% to make the basal PriGrow medium into complete media
PriGrow media are supplied as serum-free basal media and must be supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum to provide the growth factors, carrier proteins, and lipid supplements that cells require for robust growth. Simply adding FBS at 10% of the final volume to the PriGrow basal medium produces complete media ready for use.
Optionally add antibiotics to complete PriGrow media
Penicillin-streptomycin with or without amphotericin B can be added to complete PriGrow media to reduce contamination risk, though antibiotic-free culture is standard in many labs to avoid masking low-level contamination and maintain cell health in long-term culture.
Warm PriGrow media to 37&deg;C before adding to cells
Like all cell culture media, PriGrow basal media and complete PriGrow media should be pre-warmed in a water bath at 37&deg;C before use to avoid cold-shock stress on cells that could affect growth and viability during media changes or passaging.
Maintain cultures at 37&deg;C under 5% CO₂
PriGrow media are formulated for standard mammalian cell culture conditions of 37&deg;C and 5% CO₂, which maintains physiological pH in the bicarbonate-buffered medium, unless the specific cell type protocol calls for different conditions.
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<h2>Specifications context</h2>
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PriGrow media contain phenol red as a standard pH indicator and are provided as serum-free basal media, with each formulation's HEPES and bicarbonate buffer ratios, nutrient levels, and supplemental additives matched to the cell types it is optimized for. As of 2026, specialized primary cell media like PriGrow remain a distinct product category from standard broad-spectrum media, since primary cells and cell-type-specific in vitro models require media compositions that better match in vivo nutritional conditions than DMEM or RPMI provides.
<a href="https://mbpinc.net/contact-us">Contact the expert team </a>at MBP today and get high-quality PriGrow media for your lab.

PriGrow Media

Prigrow VII Medium

TM017 by Applied Biological Materials is Prigrow VII Medium, a 500 mL serum-free, antibiotic-free basal medium for mammalian primary cell culture, with lot-confirmed pH 6.9–7.3, osmolarity 280–308 mOsm/kgH₂O, and endotoxin ≤0.25 EU/mL.

Unit Quantity

Endotoxin Level

Osmolarity

Sterility

Appearance

Storage Condition

Disclaimer

Shipping Condition

Prigrow VIII Medium

TM018 by Applied Biological Materials is Prigrow VIII Medium, a 500 mL serum-free, antibiotic-free basal medium for mammalian primary cell culture, with lot-confirmed pH 6.91–7.27, osmolarity 281–317 mOsm/kgH₂O, and endotoxin ≤1 EU/mL.

Prigrow X.1 Medium

Prigrow X.1 Medium TM010 by ABM: 500 ml protein-free, antibiotic-free medium for corneal progenitor cells, corneal epithelial cells, and keratinocytes. BPE + 0.07 mM calcium supplement. Basal at 4–8°C, supplement at −20°C; stable 30 days post-mix. Lot-tested for adherence, sterility, pH, osmolality, and endotoxin.

Caution

Prigrow XI Medium

Prigrow XI Medium (TM011) by Applied Biological Materials (ABM) is a 450 mL sterile, clear cell culture medium with endotoxin ≤1 EU/mL, stored at 2–8°C and shipped on ice packs. Part of ABM's PriGrow series of specialised cell culture media.

Prigrow XII Medium

TM012 by Applied Biological Materials (ABM) is Prigrow XII Medium, a 500 mL serum-free and antibiotic-free liquid medium for primary mammalian cell culture, with pH 7.0–7.6, osmolarity 282–312 mOsm/kgH₂O, and endotoxin ≤1 EU/mL. Each lot is tested for sterility, pH, osmolality, and cellular performance.

Prigrow XIII Medium

TM013 by Applied Biological Materials (ABM) is Prigrow XIII Medium, a 500 mL serum-free and antibiotic-free liquid medium for primary cell culture, with pH 7.3–7.9, osmolarity 305–338 mOsm/kgH₂O, and endotoxin ≤1 EU/mL. Each lot is tested for sterility, pH, osmolality, and cellular performance.

Prigrow XIV Medium

TM014 by Applied Biological Materials (ABM) is Prigrow XIV Medium, a primary cell culture kit comprising a 500 mL basal medium and three specialized supplement components. Each lot is tested for sterility, pH, osmolality, endotoxin, and cellular performance before release.

Prigrow XV Medium

TM027 by Applied Biological Materials is Prigrow XV Medium (500 mL), a specialized antibiotic-free cell culture medium formulated for THP-1 human monocytic cells, with lot-tested pH 7.0–7.6, osmolarity 264–292 mOsm/kg, and endotoxin ≤1 EU/mL — used for macrophage differentiation, NLRP3 inflammasome research, and innate immunity assays.

Prigrow XVIII Medium

TM039 by Applied Biological Materials (ABM) is Prigrow XVIII Medium, a 500 mL liquid cell culture medium for primary mammalian cell culture. Each lot is tested for sterility, pH, osmolality, endotoxin, adherence rate, morphology, and cellular metabolism before release.

<h2 data-section-id="5jwp5g" data-start="0" data-end="46">What are ligation independent cloning kits?</h2>
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Ligation independent cloning (LIC) kits enable assembly of PCR-amplified DNA fragments into a linearized vector through complementary single-stranded overhangs, generated either by exonuclease treatment of vector and insert ends or by PCR primers carrying homology arms, bypassing the need for restriction enzyme digestion and T4 DNA ligase. Related entities include seamless cloning methods (Gibson Assembly-type approaches), directional cloning, multi-fragment assembly, homology arm design, and downstream transformation into competent cells.
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<h2 dir="ltr">What you will find:</h2>
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<ul>
<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" aria-level="1">
<a href="https://mbpinc.net/product/pro-ligation-free-cloning-kit">Pro Ligation-Free Cloning Kit:</a> Ligase-independent, comprehensive, all-in-one system for smooth and rapid DNA assembly.
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</ul>
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<h2 data-section-id="5tbqjl" data-start="792" data-end="842">How to choose ligation independent cloning kits</h2>
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Single-fragment vs. multi-fragment assembly
Some LIC kits are optimized for inserting a single PCR fragment into a vector at a defined site, while others support simultaneous assembly of multiple fragments (often up to 4&ndash;5) into a single linearized vector in one reaction; choose based on the complexity of the construct being built.
Homology arm length and primer design
LIC and seamless assembly methods require PCR primers with homology arms (typically 15&ndash;25 base pairs) overlapping the vector or adjacent fragment ends; primer design tools provided with some kits can help ensure compatible overlap lengths and melting temperatures across all fragment junctions.
Compatibility with existing vector backbones
Confirm the LIC kit's enzyme system is compatible with the vector backbone already in use, particularly for specialized vectors such as lentiviral transfer plasmids, since some seamless assembly chemistries have sequence requirements at the junction sites.
Kit completeness (enzyme-only vs. full kit with competent cells)
Standalone enzyme/buffer kits assume the lab already has compatible competent cells for transformation, while full kits bundle competent cells (and sometimes a control vector/insert pair) for initial validation of the assembly chemistry before applying it to a novel construct.
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<h2 data-section-id="1fljvas" data-start="3053" data-end="3078">Specifications context</h2>
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LIC and seamless assembly kits report cloning efficiency as the percentage of correct-assembly colonies among total transformants, with well-optimized reactions commonly exceeding 80&ndash;90% correct assembly for 2&ndash;3 fragment reactions. Reaction setup typically takes 15 minutes to 1 hour at a defined temperature (often room temperature or 50&deg;C depending on the chemistry) before transformation.&nbsp;
This sub-category is part of MBP's cloning catalog alongside transformation kits and competent cells, needed to propagate the assembled construct, and chemicals/reagents for general cloning consumables. Labs building custom immortalization vectors can also review MBP's cell immortalization catalog. MBP's specialist team can help confirm assembly chemistry compatibility with a specific vector backbone before order placement.
<a href="https://mbpinc.net/contact-us">Contact the expert team</a> at MBP today to get high-integrity ligation-independent cloning kits for your lab.

Ligation Independent Cloning Kits

Flyer

MSDS - E086 E087 v2

Pro Ligation-Free Cloning Kit - Quick Start Protocol

User Manual

Pro Ligation-Free Cloning Kit

Pro Ligation-Free Cloning Kit (20 reactions)

Pro Ligation-Free Cloning Kit (50 reactions)

<h2 data-section-id="k59sk3" data-start="0" data-end="52">What are transformation kits and competent cells?</h2>
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Transformation kits and competent cells consist of E. coli strains prepared to take up exogenous plasmid DNA, either through chemical competence (calcium chloride treatment, transformed via heat shock) or electrocompetence (transformed via electroporation), along with associated transformation buffers and protocols. Related entities include transformation efficiency (transformants per microgram), heat-shock and electroporation methods, strain genotype (recA, endA deficiency for plasmid stability), and downstream plasmid recovery for sequencing or transfection.
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<h2 dir="ltr">What you will find:</h2>
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<ul>
<li>Mix &amp; Go! Transformation Kits, rapid protocols for preparation of competent E. coli in&nbsp;</li>
<li>ProClone&trade; Competent Cells with optimized E. coli strains for cloning and library generation.</li>
<li>Specialized Competent E. coli Strains ready-made JM109, DH5 Alpha, and Zymo 10B cells for regular and complex assembly.</li>
<li>Autolysis Competent Cells: designed for simplified cell lysis and streamlined protein expression using XJa and XJb strains</li>
<li>Frozen-EZ Yeast Transformation Kits for genetic manipulation of yeast strains.</li>
</ul>
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<h2 data-section-id="1ld88i5" data-start="812" data-end="876">How to choose transformation kits and competent cell products</h2>
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Chemically competent vs. electrocompetent cells
Chemically competent cells use a heat-shock protocol and are generally easier to handle for routine cloning, while electrocompetent cells require an electroporator but can achieve higher transformation efficiency for large plasmids, low-copy constructs, or DNA with modifications that reduce chemical transformation efficiency.
General cloning strains vs. protein expression strains
General cloning strains are selected for high transformation efficiency and genetic features (such as recA and endA deficiency) that improve plasmid stability and quality for downstream sequencing, while protein expression strains carry features supporting recombinant protein production, such as T7 RNA polymerase expression for IPTG-inducible systems; using a cloning strain for protein expression (or vice versa) generally gives suboptimal results.
Transformation efficiency requirements
Routine cloning of standard-sized plasmids works well with competent cells rated at 10^6&ndash;10^8 transformants per microgram, while ligation reactions with very low DNA concentrations (such as multi-fragment seamless assembly products) may benefit from higher-efficiency cells rated above 10^8 transformants per microgram.
Transformation kits may include a positive control plasmid and competent cells for validating transformation efficiency before using precious experimental DNA; this is particularly useful when troubleshooting low transformation yields to distinguish competent cell quality issues from ligation or assembly reaction issues.
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<h2 data-section-id="1fljvas" data-start="3947" data-end="3972">Specifications context</h2>
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Competent cell transformation efficiency is reported in transformants per microgram of standard control plasmid DNA, with general cloning strains commonly rated at 10^6&ndash;10^8 and high-efficiency formulations exceeding 10^8 transformants per microgram. Cells are typically supplied as frozen aliquots (e.g., 50&ndash;100 microliters per tube) for single-use transformations, shipped on dry ice and stored at -80&deg;C, with repeated freeze-thaw substantially reducing efficiency.&nbsp;
This sub-category is part of MBP's cloning catalog alongside ligation independent cloning kits and chemicals/reagents, the upstream steps of a cloning workflow. Labs producing custom lentivirus for immortalization can also review MBP's cell immortalization catalog. MBP's specialist team can help confirm strain genotype and transformation efficiency requirements for a specific cloning or expression project before order placement.
<a href="https://mbpinc.net/contact-us">Contact the expert team</a> at MBP today and get high-quality transformation kits and competent cells for your lab.

Transformation Kits & Competetent Cells

MSDS

ProClone™ Competent Cells

Expression System General

<h2 data-section-id="1go10h8" data-start="173" data-end="215">What are classic cell culture media?</h2>
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Classic cell culture media refers to the foundational basal medium formulations that have underpinned mammalian cell culture since the mid-20th century: DMEM (Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium), MEM (Minimum Essential Medium), RPMI 1640, Ham's Nutrient Mixtures F-10 and F-12, IMDM (Iscove's Modified Dulbecco's Medium), and the combination formulation DMEM/F-12. Each is manufactured according to its originally published formula, with modifications limited to those necessary for consistent performance and stability of the medium over its shelf life. These media supply the amino acids, vitamins, glucose, salts, and (in most formulations) phenol red pH indicator that form the nutritional backbone of essentially all subsequent specialty, serum-free, and Advanced media derivatives.
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<h2 dir="ltr">What you will find:</h2>
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<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Selective Mammalian Antibiotics including Puromycin, Geneticin, and Hygromycin B for stable development of cell lines.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Broad-Spectrum Bactericidal Agents for routine contamination prevention, including Penicillin/Streptomycin and Gentamicin&nbsp;</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Prokaryotic Selection Reagents for effective bacterial transformation, including Ampicillin, Kanamycin, Chloramphenicol, and Tetracycline&nbsp;</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Antifungal and Antimycotic Solutions to maintain sterile cultures, including combined 100X cocktails and Amphotericin B (Fungizone)&nbsp;</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Specialized Small Molecules for targeted biochemical assays, including Ganciclovir, Rapamycin, and Actinomycin D&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
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<h2 data-section-id="1mfajxk" data-start="1218" data-end="1252">How to choose a classic medium</h2>
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DMEM vs MEM
DMEM contains up to four times the amino acid and vitamin concentration of original Eagle's MEM, along with higher glucose levels, making it suitable for cell types with elevated nutrient demands &mdash; DMEM is broadly applicable across mammalian, insect, and plant cell phenotypes including primary cells, stem cells, and transformed lines. MEM remains widely used for monolayer culture of many standard cell types, with optional Hanks' or Earle's salt formulations and a calcium-free modification that permits suspension growth.
RPMI 1640 for suspension and hematopoietic culture
RPMI 1640, developed at the Roswell Park Memorial Institute for culturing human leukemic cells, is optimized for non-adherent cell types &mdash; lymphocytes and other blood cells &mdash; and contains glutathione plus higher biotin, B12, and PABA concentrations than DMEM or MEM. Despite its hematopoietic origin, RPMI 1640 supports a broad range of adherent lines (HeLa, T47D, RENCA, CT26.WT) when properly supplemented.
Ham's F-10/F-12 for CHO and specialized applications
Ham's nutrient mixtures were originally developed for CHO cell clones, HeLa cells, and mouse L-cells, and remain suited to hepatocyte culture, viral fusion experiments, and toxicity assays, with formulations available for use with or without serum. Coon's modification of Ham's F-12 roughly doubles the amino acid and pyruvate content and adds ascorbic acid, developed specifically for hybrid cells produced by viral fusion.
DMEM/F-12 for complex, rich-medium applications
DMEM/F-12 (1:1 mixture) combines DMEM's glucose, amino acid, and vitamin richness with Ham's F-12's zinc, putrescine, hypoxanthine, and thymidine, producing an extremely rich complex medium used for MDCK cells, glial cells, fibroblasts, and human endothelial cells &mdash; and serving as the basal medium for many serum-free Advanced formulations used in organoid and stem cell work.
IMDM for high-density rapid proliferation
IMDM further enriches DMEM with additional amino acids and vitamins, substituting potassium nitrate for ferric nitrate and adding HEPES and sodium pyruvate. IMDM's sodium bicarbonate buffer system (5&ndash;10% CO₂) and enriched composition make it well suited for rapidly proliferating, high-density cultures including Jurkat, COS-7, and macrophage cells.
Liquid vs. powder format
Liquid classic media are ready to use (after appropriate FBS and supplement addition) and include sodium bicarbonate in the formulation. Powdered media are manufactured without sodium bicarbonate, since it tends to off-gas in powder form &mdash; 3.7 g/L sodium bicarbonate must be added upon reconstitution, followed by sterile filtration. Powder formats offer cost and shipping-weight advantages for high-volume labs preparing their own media.
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<h2 data-section-id="17i0pj" data-start="5035" data-end="5061">Specifications context</h2>
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Classic media are manufactured according to originally published formulas, with stability-related modifications documented per product. DMEM's sodium bicarbonate buffer system at 3.7 g/L is standard across liquid formulations; powdered formats require this addition upon reconstitution along with 0.22 &micro;m sterile filtration. As of 2026, DMEM, DMEM/F-12, and RPMI 1640 remain the three most widely specified classic media across academic and biomanufacturing labs, with IMDM increasingly used for high-density suspension applications in bioprocessing.
For recombinant growth factors and cytokines used alongside classic media, see Recombinant Proteins. For supplementation reagents (GlutaMAX, NEAA, sodium pyruvate, HEPES), see Cell Culture Supplements &amp; Additives. Browse Mammalian Cell Culture for the broader category.
<a href="https://mbpinc.net/contact-us">Contact the expert team </a>at MBP to get highly efficient microbial control solutions for your lab.