ABM Reagents

<h2 dir="ltr">What Are Retroviral Cloning Vectors?</h2>
 The transfer plasmid defines the cargo, promoter, and selection strategy of a retroviral vector system. Selecting the right cloning vector backbone determines transgene expression level, integration stability across cell types, and compatibility with available packaging cell lines. Efficient vector development starts with the right cloning backbone. Choose a retroviral vector that supports your research needs.
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<h2 dir="ltr">What you will find:</h2>
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<ul>
<li data-section-id="po69uo" data-start="658" data-end="756">Retro-Combo Mix vectors for streamlined retroviral construct assembly and expression workflows</li>
<li data-section-id="5ibmf5" data-start="757" data-end="857">pRetro-E1 and pRetro-E2 plasmid backbones for retroviral vector construction and gene expression</li>
<li data-section-id="1y6pp3s" data-start="858" data-end="961">pRetro-E1-HA and pRetro-E2-His tagged vectors for protein detection and downstream characterization</li>
<li data-section-id="gs2x4g" data-start="962" data-end="1091">Retro-Easy1, Retro-Easy2, Retro-Easy-HA, and Retro-Easy-His systems for flexible construct design and expression optimization</li>
<li data-section-id="fzbhcl" data-start="1092" data-end="1178">Pack-Easy Cells for efficient retroviral packaging and vector production workflows</li>
</ul>
<h2 dir="ltr"> How to Choose a Retroviral Cloning Vector</h2>
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Backbone and Expression Architecture
Retroviral cloning vectors in the Retro-Easy and pRetro-E systems utilize CMV-driven expression cassettes for transgene expression following genomic integration. Backbone configuration influences expression consistency, cloning flexibility, and compatibility with downstream packaging workflows.
Promoter Configuration
CMV-based internal promoters provide strong, constitutive expression across a wide range of mammalian cell types. Expression levels may vary depending on the integration site and chromatin environment following retroviral integration.
Packaging Workflow Compatibility
Retroviral cloning vectors are designed for use in standard replication-incompetent packaging systems, where transfer plasmids are supplied alongside packaging components to generate infectious retroviral particles for transduction of dividing cells.
Selection and Tag Options
Vector variants include antibiotic selection markers and epitope-tagged formats (HA, His) to support downstream detection, purification, or functional validation of expressed proteins.
Insert Size Considerations
Gamma-retroviral transfer vectors generally support moderate-sized inserts suitable for most cDNA and reporter constructs, with efficiency influenced by insert length and sequence composition. 
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<h2 dir="ltr">Specifications Context</h2>
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Retro-Easy and pRetro-E vector systems are based on CMV-driven retroviral transfer backbones designed for stable gene delivery in actively dividing mammalian cells. Following packaging, replication-incompetent retroviral particles mediate genomic integration of the transgene, enabling stable expression across cell divisions. Available formats include untagged, HA-tagged, and His-tagged expression vectors, as well as modular backbone variants for flexible construct design. Pack-Easy Cells provide a dedicated packaging platform for efficient retroviral particle production and consistent vector output. These systems support applications in gene expression analysis, functional studies, and stable cell line generation.
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<a href="https://mbpinc.net/contact-us">Contact the expert team</a> at MBP and find the right Retrovirus Cloning Vectors for your lab.

Cloning Vectors

Selection-Drug Killing Curve

Retrovirus Expression Systems Protocol

pRetro-E2

E-515 by Applied Biological Materials is a 10 µg pRetro-E2 retroviral expression vector for the Retro-Easy2™ System. MCS for transgene cloning + Neomycin (G418) selection marker. Rapid high-titer retrovirus production for stable gene expression in dividing cells. Use with E-510 Retro-Combo Mix. Store at −20°C or below.

Unit Quantity

Vector

Note

Shipping Condition

pRetro-E2-His

E-517 by Applied Biological Materials is the pRetro-E2-His retroviral transfer vector (10 µg) for stable His-tagged transgene expression in dividing mammalian cells via retroviral transduction. 6× His tag enables Ni-NTA purification and anti-His detection. Transfer vector component of the Retro-Easy-His&trade; system (E-519). Use with Pack-Easy Cells (E-511). Store at &minus;20°C.

<h2 dir="ltr"> What Are Retroviral Control &amp; Reporter Constructs?</h2>
 Every retroviral over-expression experiment requires a matched set of control constructs to confirm that transduction was successful, the packaging system produced infectious virus at an adequate titer, and the empty vector backbone does not itself alter the measured phenotype. Retroviral control and reporter vectors use the same LTR and backbone configuration as experimental over-expression vectors. Reliable controls and reporters improve confidence in transduction and expression studies. Select the control/reporter system appropriate for your experiment.
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<h2 dir="ltr">What you will find:</h2>
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<ul>
<li data-section-id="w0hi5b" data-start="4179" data-end="4269">Retro-CMV Blank Retroviruses used as baseline controls for retroviral delivery systems</li>
<li data-section-id="ut4vdp" data-start="4270" data-end="4370">Fluorescent Reporter Retroviruses (GFP, RFP) for real-time monitoring of transduction efficiency</li>
<li data-section-id="izipmv" data-start="4371" data-end="4456">Bicistronic GFP Reporter Vectors for co-expression and experimental normalization</li>
<li data-section-id="we28ta" data-start="4457" data-end="4544">Epitope-tagged Control Vectors supporting protein detection and expression analysis</li>
<li data-section-id="47lirb" data-start="4545" data-end="4642">Stop-codon Reporter Plasmids for assessing baseline expression and vector background activity</li>
<li data-section-id="1d2i69z" data-start="4643" data-end="4735">CMV-driven control plasmids used in retroviral expression and stable cell line workflows</li>
</ul>
<h2 dir="ltr"> How to Choose Retroviral Control &amp; Reporter Constructs</h2>
 Empty Vector Backbone Matching The empty vector control must match the experimental vector in backbone, LTR configuration, internal promoter, and selection marker &mdash; for pBABE experiments, pBABE-puro empty is correct; for pLNCX2 experiments, an empty pLNCX2 vector is required. Mismatched controls introduce confounding variables. Transduction Efficiency Verification GFP-expressing retroviral controls (pBABE-GFP, pMSCV-GFP) enable real-time FACS-based quantification before proceeding with experimental constructs &mdash; Adequate efficiency is typically assessed empirically based on cell type and experimental design, ensuring that packaging and infection conditions are suitable for downstream applications. Histochemical Detection Needs pLAPSN, derived from the pLXSN backbone, expresses bacterial alkaline phosphatase (AP), detectable histochemically with substrates such as NBT/BCIP &mdash; useful when fluorescence-based detection is not available or appropriate, particularly in fixed tissue sections. In Vivo Tracking Requirements Retroviral GFP and luciferase reporter cell lines support in vivo tracking of transplanted cells in mouse models, including haematopoietic reconstitution studies and tumour xenograft experiments via bioluminescence imaging. Multiplexing Considerations Retroviral GFP reporters are compatible with red-channel markers (RFP, mCherry, tdTomato) in multiplexed imaging and FACS &mdash; ensure control and experimental constructs use spectrally distinct reporters. 
<h2> Specifications Context</h2>
 Retroviral control and reporter systems using Retro-CMV and pRetroG-CMV vectors deliver CMV-driven expression cassettes packaged as replication-incompetent retroviral particles for transduction of actively dividing mammalian cells. These systems support stable genomic integration of GFP/RFP reporters, HA-tagged constructs, bicistronic IRES-based expression formats, and empty vector controls for baseline comparison and experimental normalization. Following transduction, integrated expression is maintained through cell division under selection or reporter-based enrichment, enabling consistent gene expression analysis, functional studies, and stable cell line generation in retroviral workflows. Product availability reflects MBP's catalogue as of mid-2026. 
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<a href="https://mbpinc.net/contact-us">Contact the expert team </a>at MBP to get advanced retroviral control/reporters for your lab today.

Control/Reporter

Lentiviral Vector Amplification Protocol

AAV Infection Guideline

AAV Packaging Protocol

Lentivector Packaging Protocol

Lentivirus Infection Protocol

pRetroG-CMV-blank Vector

RV001 by Applied Biological Materials is a CMV-promoter retroviral transfer plasmid (1.0 µg) for cloning and stably expressing a custom gene of interest in dividing mammalian cells. Package with Retro-Easy2 (E-513) to achieve titers up to 109 IU/ml. Compatible with ViralEntry™ G515 for enhanced transduction. Store at &minus;20°C.

Vector Map

List of Markers

pRetroG-CMV-GFP-HA Vector

RV002 by Applied Biological Materials is a 1.0 µg CMV-GFP-HA retroviral plasmid vector (MoMuLV-based, replication-incompetent). Compatible with packaging systems up to 109 IU/mL. For stable GFP-HA expression in actively dividing mammalian cells. Pre-packaged virus: RVP002. Requires retroviral packaging. Store at −20°C or below.

pRetroG-CMV-GFP-IRES-GFP Vector

RV004 by Applied Biological Materials is a CMV-promoter retroviral transfer vector (1.0 µg) with a bicistronic GFP-IRES-GFP expression cassette. The dual GFP design provides a strong fluorescence transduction control and validates IRES-mediated internal translation in dividing mammalian cells. Package with Retro-Easy™ (E-513) and use ViralEntry™ (G515) to maximize transduction efficiency. Store at &minus;20°C.

pRetroG-CMV-GFP-stop Vector

RV003 by Applied Biological Materials is a 1.0 µg CMV-GFP-stop retroviral cloning vector (MoMuLV-based, replication-incompetent). Compatible with packaging systems up to 109 IU/mL. For stable GFP-fusion protein expression in dividing mammalian cells. Requires retroviral packaging. Store at −20°C or below.

pRetroG-CMV-RFP-stop Vector

RV005 by Applied Biological Materials is pRetroG-CMV-RFP-stop Vector — 1.0 µg MoMuLV retroviral plasmid with CMV-driven RFP and no affinity tag (stop codon). RFP transduction control for dividing cells. Pre-packaged virus: RVP005. Requires retroviral packaging with E-510. Store at −20°C or below.

<h2 data-section-id="1h8mvlk" data-start="0" data-end="45">What are primary cell culture medium kits?</h2>
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Primary cell culture medium kits are complete, ready-to-prepare culture systems that combine a cell-type-specific basal medium with the supplements required for optimal growth and maintenance of primary cells. Unlike purchasing media, serum, growth factors, and antibiotics separately, these kits provide all components in validated proportions, ensuring that the medium performs as intended for a specific primary cell type.
A typical kit includes a basal medium, a cell-specific growth supplement, an antibiotic component where appropriate, and fetal bovine serum (FBS) or an equivalent supplement when required. The components are designed to be combined directly according to the manufacturer's instructions, reducing preparation errors and improving consistency between experiments.
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<h2 data-path-to-node="5">What you will find:</h2>
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Tissue-specific primary cell culture medium kits
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Specialized growth media for endothelial and epithelial cells
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Workflow systems for thawing, plating, and maintenance of hepatocytes&nbsp;
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Differentiation media for progenitor and stem cells&nbsp;
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<li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
Serum-free bioprocessing and cryopreservation reagents
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<li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
Targeted fibroblast, smooth muscle, and myocyte growth kits
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</ul>
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<h2 data-section-id="1nip7jz" data-start="1066" data-end="1116">How to choose a primary cell culture medium kit</h2>
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Match the kit to the cell type
Primary cells have highly specialized nutritional and signaling requirements. Kits are available for endothelial cells, hepatocytes, astrocytes, epithelial cells, fibroblasts, stem cells, and many other cell types. Selecting a kit specifically designed for the target cell type is essential for maintaining normal cellular function and morphology.
Serum-containing vs. serum-free formulations
Traditional kits often include FBS as a source of growth factors and nutrients. Serum-free and xeno-free kits replace animal-derived components with defined supplements, reducing variability and supporting applications that require animal-component-free culture conditions.
Complete kit convenience
Most kits provide all major components needed to prepare complete culture medium. This eliminates the need to source multiple reagents individually and helps ensure that supplements are used at the correct concentrations.
Antibiotic inclusion
Many primary cell culture kits include antibiotics to reduce contamination risk during routine culture. However, some specialized formulations, particularly those designed for immune cells and mononuclear cells, are intentionally supplied without antibiotics because these additives can influence cellular responses and experimental outcomes.
Storage and preparation
Kit components are typically stored separately until needed. Basal media and supplements are usually refrigerated, while serum components may require frozen storage before use. Once mixed into complete medium, shelf life is generally shorter than that of the individual components, making it advisable to prepare only the amount needed for near-term use.
Specialized differentiation systems
Some kits are designed not only for maintenance but also for cellular differentiation. These systems may include multiple supplements added sequentially throughout a protocol to guide stem cells or progenitor cells through defined developmental stages.
<h2 data-section-id="dydsco" data-start="3131" data-end="3173">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 data-section-id="1fljvas" data-start="4061" data-end="4086">Specifications context</h2>
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Primary cell culture medium kits are commonly supplied in a format consisting of a basal medium bottle accompanied by concentrated supplements and serum components that are added directly before use. This approach simplifies preparation while ensuring that all components have been optimized and tested together.
<a href="https://mbpinc.net/contact-us" title="Contact the expert team at MBP">Contact the expert team at MBP</a> today and get optimized primary cell culture medium kits for your lab.

Primary Cell Culture Medium kits

PriGrow C Medium

PriGrow C Medium TM100 (ABM PriGrow X Series) — 500 ml ready-to-use, specifically formulated mammalian cell culture medium. Full QC tested (sterility, pH, osmolality, endotoxin, morphology). Store at 4–8 °C. RUO.

Sterility

Appearance

Storage Condition

Disclaimer

Prigrow CI Medium

PriGrow CI Medium (TM101) by Applied Biological Materials is a 500 ml serum-free, antibiotic-free PriGrow Series basal medium with controlled endotoxin ≤0.5 EU/mL, osmolarity 260–320 mOsm/kg, and pH 7.0–7.4. Lot-tested for sterility, pH, osmolality, and endotoxin. Supplement as required. Store at 2–8°C.

Endotoxin Level

Osmolarity

<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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<ul>
<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" aria-level="1">
Endothelial and epithelial formulations optimized to preserve critical barrier functions and&nbsp;unique physiological phenotypes in specialized vascular cell lines.
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<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" aria-level="1">
Myogenic media for the smooth and skeletal muscle cells in vitro proliferation, functional maintenance, and structural preservation
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<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" aria-level="1">
Hepatic induction systems for supporting liver cell research, drug metabolism profiling, and long-term functional assays.
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<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" aria-level="1">
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

TM001-MSDS

TM001-JRP030-6-Certificate of Analysis\n

TM001-JRR054-6-Certificate of Analysis

Prigrow I Medium

TM001 by ABM (Applied Biological Materials) — PriGrow I Medium, 500 mL serum-free and antibiotic-free basal cell culture medium. pH 7.15–7.25, osmolarity 270–310 mOsm/kg H₂O, endotoxin ≤1 EU/mL. Lot-tested for sterility, pH, osmolality, endotoxin, and cell performance. Store at 2–8°C.

Caution

MSDS

Prigrow II Medium

Prigrow II Medium (TM002) by Applied Biological Materials (ABM) is a 500 mL serum-free, antibiotic-free cell culture medium for primary mammalian cells. pH 7.0–7.6, osmolarity 264–292 mOsm/kg, endotoxin ≤1 EU/mL. QC tested for sterility, pH, osmolarity, endotoxin, adherence rate, morphology, and metabolic activity. Stored at 2–8°C.

TM003 - MSDS

Prigrow III Medium

TM003 by Applied Biological Materials is Prigrow III Medium (500 mL), a serum-free, antibiotic-free mammalian cell culture medium with lot-tested pH 7.0–7.4, osmolarity 315–350 mOsm/kg, and endotoxin ≤1 EU/mL — qualified per lot for sterility, morphology, and cellular metabolism.