ABM Reagents

<h2 data-section-id="3d1466" data-start="0" data-end="47">What are cell culture buffers and solutions?</h2>
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Cell culture buffers and balanced salt solutions are isotonic solutions used to wash, dilute, transport, and temporarily maintain cells outside of complete growth media. Unlike culture media, these solutions do not contain the nutrients and growth factors required for cell proliferation. Instead, their primary role is to maintain physiological pH and osmotic balance while protecting cells from stress during handling and experimental procedures.
The most commonly used cell culture buffers include PBS (Phosphate-Buffered Saline), DPBS (Dulbecco's Phosphate-Buffered Saline), HBSS (Hank's Balanced Salt Solution), and EBSS (Earle's Balanced Salt Solution). These solutions are widely used in cell washing, passaging, tissue dissociation, sample preparation, immunoassays, and short-term cell maintenance.
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<h2 dir="ltr">What you will find:</h2>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Standard Isotonic Buffers to wash cells, maintain osmotic balance, and dilute reagents.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Biological Buffering Agents for metabolic support and pH maintenance.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Cell Dissociation &amp; Neutralizing Reagents maintain high cell viability and are used for cell recovery, detachment, and passaging</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Surface Coating &amp; Matrix Solutions with high-grade gelatin for improved cell attachment.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Insulin-Transferrin-Selenite (ITS), Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA), and high-purity Holo-Transferrin for enhanced cell growth and viability</li>
</ul>
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<h2 data-section-id="1cuz7jf" data-start="1165" data-end="1216">How to choose cell culture buffers and solutions</h2>
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PBS vs. DPBS PBS is a simple sodium chloride/phosphate buffer solution. DPBS adds potassium chloride and may include calcium, magnesium, glucose, and pyruvate depending on formulation. The practical difference between PBS and DPBS formulations is minimal &mdash; both maintain pH 7.2-7.4 and osmolality ~280-315 mOsm/kg and are functionally interchangeable for standard washing, immunoassay, and sample preparation applications. If your protocol is sensitive to minor salt concentration differences, compare specific formulation sheets rather than assuming equivalence. &nbsp; Calcium/magnesium-free vs. calcium/magnesium-containing Calcium and magnesium facilitate cell-cell and cell-surface adhesion. Calcium/magnesium-free PBS, DPBS, or HBSS is required: before enzymatic dissociation (residual Ca/Mg inhibits trypsin, requiring more enzyme and harsher conditions &mdash; the most common cause of poor trypsinization results), for rinsing EDTA or other chelators from culture, and for minimizing cell-cell aggregation during gentle dissociation or suspension recovery. Calcium/magnesium-containing formulations support cell binding and clumping, useful for transport applications or attachment-dependent procedures. &nbsp; HBSS/EBSS vs. PBS/DPBS for short-term maintenance HBSS and EBSS include sodium bicarbonate buffering and may include glucose, providing meaningfully better short-term physiological support for cells &mdash; particularly under CO₂ atmosphere &mdash; than the simpler PBS/DPBS formulations. Use HBSS/EBSS when cells need to remain viable for a meaningful period outside complete growth media (tissue dissociation workflows, transport, short-term holding). Use PBS/DPBS for washing steps, immunoassay/Western blot dilutions, and sample preparation where osmotic balance &mdash; not metabolic support &mdash; is the requirement. &nbsp; Phenol red and glucose/pyruvate variants DPBS and HBSS are available with or without phenol red and with or without glucose/pyruvate, allowing matching to downstream applications (phenol red-free for fluorescence work; glucose/pyruvate-containing for short-term metabolic support). &nbsp; Endotoxin and quality testing Regular quality testing of balanced salt solutions includes osmolality, pH, stability, and screening for endotoxins and bacterial/fungal contamination. For immune cell handling and other endotoxin-sensitive applications, premium formulations document endotoxin levels below 0.005 EU/mL &mdash; a meaningfully tighter specification than standard research-grade buffers. &nbsp; Powder vs. liquid format Powdered balanced salt solutions are manufactured without sodium (to avoid sodium bicarbonate off-gassing during storage), requiring sodium bicarbonate addition, pH adjustment, and sterile filtration at time of preparation &mdash; following the same principle as powdered classic media.Specifications context
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<h2>Specifications context</h2>
&nbsp;
Most balanced salt solutions are formulated to maintain physiological conditions with a pH of approximately 7.2&ndash;7.4 and osmolality ranging from about 280&ndash;315 mOsm/kg. These properties help minimize osmotic stress and maintain cell viability during handling.
Calcium- and magnesium-free DPBS remains one of the most commonly specified buffers for cell dissociation workflows because it improves the effectiveness of trypsin and other detachment enzymes. HBSS and EBSS continue to be widely used when short-term metabolic support is required outside complete growth media.
<a href="https://mbpinc.net/contact-us">Contact the expert team</a> at MBP today to get high-purity buffers and solutions for your lab.

Buffers & Solutions

Buffers/Salts

Trypsin-EDTA (0.25%)

Trypsin-EDTA 0.25% (TM050) by Applied Biological Materials is a 500 ml sterile solution for enzymatic detachment of adherent mammalian cells during routine subculturing. EDTA chelates Ca²⁺/Mg²⁺ to enhance trypsin-mediated dissociation. Lot-tested for sterility, pH, osmolality, and endotoxin. Store at –20°C.

Unit Quantity

Sterility

Appearance

Shipping Conditions

Storage Condition

Disclaimer

Shipping Condition

<h2 dir="ltr">What Is Hot Start Taq DNA Polymerase?</h2>
 Hot-start Taq DNA polymerase is the enzyme of choice for PCR applications where non-specific amplification or primer dimer formation has been problematic with standard Taq. By keeping the polymerase inactive until a high-temperature activation step, hot-start formulations prevent the room-temperature primer extension that drives non-specific products in standard Taq reactions. Choose a polymerase suited to your assay requirements.
&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">What you will find:</h2>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li data-section-id="1hsv5i3" data-start="233" data-end="391">Hot-start Taq DNA polymerases are designed to support multiplex PCR by reducing non-specific amplification and primer-primer interactions during reaction setup.</li>
<li data-section-id="bhgh5r" data-start="392" data-end="516">Formulations suitable for high-throughput PCR workflows requiring a stable room-temperature setup before thermal activation.</li>
<li data-section-id="1h2z623" data-start="517" data-end="640">Improved specificity for amplification of low-abundance targets compared with conventional non-hot-start Taq polymerases.</li>
<li data-section-id="1nifv8r" data-start="641" data-end="743">Cleaner amplicon generation for downstream applications such as cloning, sequencing, and genotyping.</li>
<li data-section-id="bof93a" data-start="744" data-end="892">Enzyme and buffer systems formulated to support amplification of challenging templates, including GC-rich regions and complex genomic DNA samples.</li>
</ul>
<h2 dir="ltr"> How to Choose Hot Start Taq DNA Polymerase</h2>
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Inactivation Mechanism Antibody-mediated formulations use a heat-sensitive antibody that reversibly binds and inhibits the enzyme until denatured during the initial high-temperature step. Chemically modified formulations use covalent modifications to active-site residues that are reversed by heat during cycling. Standard vs. Hot-Start Comparison Standard Taq DNA polymerase is a formulation of recombinant Taq that remains active at ambient temperatures, permitting non-specific primer extension during reaction setup &mdash; hot-start formulations are reversibly inactivated at ambient temperature specifically to prevent this. Buffer Compatibility As with standard Taq, optimised 10x PCR buffer formulations are designed to complement the specific hot-start enzyme's activation and activity profile. Activation Time Considerations Confirm whether your chosen hot-start formulation activates within a standard initial denaturation step or requires an extended/dedicated activation incubation, as this affects total cycling protocol time. Application Fit Hot-start Taq is recommended wherever specificity is a concern: multiplex PCR, low-template-abundance amplification, diagnostic PCR, and any workflow where primer dimer formation has been observed with standard Taq. 
<h2 dir="ltr"> Specifications Context</h2>
 Hot-start Taq DNA polymerase is a recombinant Taq formulation that remains inactive during reaction setup, preventing the non-specific primer extension that standard Taq can permit before thermal cycling begins. This improved specificity is particularly valuable for multiplex PCR, low-abundance templates, and applications where non-specific products could affect result interpretation. Hot-start enzymes are typically stored at &minus;20 &deg;C and commonly supplied with matched PCR buffer. Because antibody-mediated and chemically modified formats can require different activation conditions, initial denaturation parameters should be verified when introducing a new enzyme. Product availability reflects MBP's catalogue as of mid-2026. 
&nbsp;
<a href="https://mbpinc.net/contact-us">Contact the expert team </a>at MBP today to request a quote and identify the most suitable hot start Taq DNA polymerase for your workflow.

Hot Start Taq DNA Polymerase

DataSheet

MSDS

PCR Product Guide

Ultra-Pure BlasTaq™ 2X PCR MasterMix

G885 Ultra-Pure BlasTaq&trade; 2X PCR MasterMix by Applied Biological Materials is an ultra-pure, human DNA-free 2X fast PCR master mix with BlasTaq&trade; DNA Polymerase (6 kb/min; 40&ndash;70% faster than Taq) and integrated gel loading dye, for sensitive PCR applications requiring contamination-free reagents in forensic, clinical, metagenomic, and food safety workflows.

Application

Concentration

<h2 dir="ltr"> What Are Lentiviral Purification &amp; Packaging Kits?</h2>
 Producing high-quality lentiviral stocks is a prerequisite for reproducible transduction experiments. Low-titer or impure virus preparations reduce transduction efficiency, introduce toxicity from residual cell debris, and compromise experimental reproducibility. Purification and packaging kits address every step from plasmid transfection through virus harvest and concentration. Vector production quality depends on efficient purification and packaging workflows. Choose the kit designed for your system.
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<h2 dir="ltr">What you will find:</h2>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; color: #000000;" aria-level="1">
2nd and 3rd Generation Lentivirus Bundles combining transduction enhancers, transfection reagents, packaging mix, titer kits for complete workflows
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; color: #000000;" aria-level="1">
2nd and 3rd Generation Packaging System Mix for standardized viral production workflows
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; color: #000000;" aria-level="1">
DNAfectin&trade; Plus and Packaging Mix systems for enhanced transfection workflows
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; color: #000000;" aria-level="1">
Lentivirus Promoter Blast&trade; Kit for lentiviral expression studies driven by promoters
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; color: #000000;" aria-level="1">
SARS-CoV-2 S Protein Pseudotype Lentiviral Packaging Mix for pseudovirus-based research applications
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; color: #000000;" aria-level="1">
Ultra-Pure Lentivirus Purification Kit for viral cleanup and concentration
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; color: #000000;" aria-level="1">
ViralEntry&trade; Transduction Enhancer for improved transduction
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; color: #000000;" aria-level="1">
qPCR Lentivirus Titer Kit &amp; ViralEntry&trade; Bundle for optimized transduction workflows and&nbsp; viral quantification&nbsp;
</li>
</ul>
<h2 dir="ltr"> How to Choose a Purification &amp; Packaging Kit</h2>
 Concentration Method Available PEG precipitation kits work with a standard benchtop centrifuge, producing 10&ndash;100-fold concentration &mdash; the most accessible method for labs without ultracentrifuges. Ultrafiltration (100 kDa cutoff) offers high recovery (&gt;80%) while removing small molecules and unincorporated VSV-G. Ultracentrifugation provides the highest concentration (up to 1000&times;) but requires specialised equipment. Packaging Plasmid Generation 3rd generation systems (pMDLg/pRRE + pRSV-Rev + pVSV-G) split packaging elements across three plasmids and eliminate Tat for biosafety. 2nd generation systems use a single packaging plasmid + pVSV-G; some transfer vectors with RSV promoters produce lower titers with 3rd generation packaging unless using CMV-promoter variants (pLKO.1C). Starting Volume Scale Ultrafiltration units are compatible with both small-scale (&le;20 mL) and large-scale (up to 1 L) starting volumes using appropriately sized membranes. Plasmid Transfection Ratio For 3rd generation packaging, a 4:2:1:1 ratio of transfer vector:pMDLg/pRRE:pVSV-G:pRSV-Rev has been validated to maximise titer, with 20 &micro;g transfer vector per 15 cm dish as a standard starting point. Titer Assessment Method p24 ELISA measures total viral particle content; functional transduction assays (GFP or antibiotic selection) measure infectious titer; qPCR-based RNA titration measures packaged RNA copies. Functional titer is most relevant for transduction experiments. 
<h2 dir="ltr"> Specifications Context</h2>
 Lentiviral concentration workflows commonly combine PEG precipitation, ultrafiltration, or density-gradient methods to increase viral titer without requiring ultracentrifugation. Ultrafiltration systems using 100 kDa membranes efficiently retain lentiviral particles (approximately 80&ndash;120 nm) while removing smaller contaminants and free proteins. Following concentration, viral stocks are typically aliquoted into single-use volumes and stored at &minus;80 &deg;C because infectivity decreases with repeated freeze&ndash;thaw cycles and prolonged storage above freezing temperatures. Modern 2nd- and 3rd-generation packaging systems separate essential viral functions across multiple plasmids, including a dedicated VSV-G envelope plasmid, to support safer lentiviral production workflows. Product availability reflects MBP's catalogue as of mid-2026. 
&nbsp;
<a href="https://mbpinc.net/contact-us">Contact the expert team </a>at MBP Inc. and get reliable lentiviral purification and packaging kits for your lab today.

Purfication & Packaging Kits

User Manual

Ultra-Pure Lentivirus Purification Kit

LV998 by Applied Biological Materials is the Ultra-Pure Lentivirus Purification Kit — column-based purification from up to 1,600 mL viral supernatant per kit. Proprietary binding matrix + ion-exchange buffers; no ultracentrifuge required. High-purity, high-titer lentivirus for in vitro and in vivo gene delivery. Store at room temperature.

<h2 data-section-id="1h8mvlk" data-start="0" data-end="45">What are primary cell culture medium kits?</h2>
&nbsp;
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>
&nbsp;
<ul data-path-to-node="6">
<li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
Tissue-specific primary cell culture medium kits
</li>
<li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
Specialized growth media for endothelial and epithelial cells
</li>
<li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
Workflow systems for thawing, plating, and maintenance of hepatocytes&nbsp;
</li>
<li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
Differentiation media for progenitor and stem cells&nbsp;
</li>
<li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
Serum-free bioprocessing and cryopreservation reagents
</li>
<li style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
Targeted fibroblast, smooth muscle, and myocyte growth kits
</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<h2 data-section-id="1nip7jz" data-start="1066" data-end="1116">How to choose a primary cell culture medium kit</h2>
&nbsp;
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>
&nbsp;
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

Undifferentiated Multi-Lineage Progenitor Cell Media Kit

Undifferentiated Multi-Lineage Progenitor Cell Media Kit (TM113) by Applied Biological Materials is an antibiotic-free kit (TM113 basal medium 500 ml + TM113-S supplement mix) for maintenance and expansion of undifferentiated multi-lineage progenitor cells in vitro. Complete medium expires 30 days post-supplementation. Store basal at 4–8°C; supplement at –20°C.

<h2 data-section-id="1fu0kiw" data-start="0" data-end="45">What are additional cell culture reagents?</h2>
&nbsp;
Additional cell culture reagents are specialized products used to support cell culture procedures that extend beyond routine media preparation, supplementation, and contamination control. These reagents perform specific functions such as cryopreservation, stable cell line selection, transfection, cell attachment enhancement, suspension culture protection, and metabolic supplementation.
While basal media, sera, buffers, and standard supplements provide the foundation for cell growth, additional cell culture reagents help researchers manipulate, preserve, modify, and optimize cells for specialized applications in research, biotechnology, and biomanufacturing.
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<h2 dir="ltr">What you will find:</h2>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" aria-level="1">
High-Purity Animal Sera for enhanced cell proliferation and maintenance, e.g., USDA Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS)&nbsp;
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" aria-level="1">
Specialized Growth Supplements for primary cell cultivation, e.g., Macrophage Culture Supernatants and ECGS
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" aria-level="1">
Cell Viability and Counting Stains for accurate analysis of cellular density and health, e.g., Standardized Trypan Blue solutions&nbsp;
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" aria-level="1">
Isotonic Buffer Solutions for reagent dilution and gentle cell washing, e.g., High-quality PBS and DPBS and&nbsp; formulations
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" aria-level="1">
Antimicrobial and Hormonal Additives for optimization of cultures, e.g., Hydrocortisone and targeted Mycoplasma elimination cocktails
</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<h2 data-section-id="1e70xzx" data-start="889" data-end="938">How to choose additional cell culture reagents</h2>
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Cryopreservation reagents
Cryopreservation reagents protect cells during freezing and long-term storage. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) remains the most widely used cryoprotectant and is commonly included at 5&ndash;10% concentration in freezing media to reduce ice crystal formation that can damage cell membranes.
Ready-to-use freezing media are available in both DMSO-containing and DMSO-free formulations, allowing researchers to select the most appropriate option for sensitive cell types and specialized applications.
Selection antibiotics
Selection antibiotics are used to identify and maintain cells that have successfully incorporated a genetic construct carrying a corresponding resistance gene.
The optimal working concentration must be determined experimentally using a kill curve to identify the lowest concentration that completely eliminates non-resistant cells.
Transfection reagents
Transfection reagents facilitate the delivery of DNA, RNA, or gene-editing components into cultured cells.
Cationic lipid reagents are among the most commonly used transfection tools because they form complexes with nucleic acids that can enter cells through endocytosis. Polybrene is frequently used during viral transduction to improve vector binding and increase transduction efficiency.
Attachment factors
Certain primary cells, neuronal cultures, stem cells, and other sensitive cell types require enhanced surface adhesion. Attachment factors are applied as coatings to culture vessels before cell seeding.
Common attachment factors include:
<ul data-start="2797" data-end="2857">
<li data-section-id="vje5ia" data-start="2797" data-end="2812">Poly-D-lysine</li>
<li data-section-id="1gc9n1l" data-start="2813" data-end="2823">Collagen</li>
<li data-section-id="qxi803" data-start="2824" data-end="2837">Fibronectin</li>
<li data-section-id="x7geko" data-start="2838" data-end="2847">Laminin</li>
<li data-section-id="ixblas" data-start="2848" data-end="2857">Gelatin</li>
</ul>
These coatings improve cell attachment, spreading, survival, and differentiation.
Cell-protective agents
Suspension cultures and bioreactor systems expose cells to mechanical stress from agitation and aeration. Cell-protective surfactants such as Pluronic F-68 help reduce shear damage and improve cell viability during large-scale culture processes.
Glucose supplementation
Some cell culture protocols require glucose concentrations higher than those supplied by the basal medium. Concentrated glucose solutions can be added to support high-density cultures, serum-free systems, or specialized metabolic studies.
&nbsp;
<h2 data-section-id="1fljvas" data-start="4355" data-end="4380">Specifications context</h2>
&nbsp;
Selection antibiotic optimization remains a critical step in stable cell line development, with kill-curve experiments routinely performed before large-scale selection. Attachment factors continue to play an important role in primary cell, neuronal, and stem cell culture, while Pluronic F-68 remains widely used in suspension and bioreactor-based production systems.
<a href="https://mbpinc.net/contact-us">Contact the expert team at MBP</a> to request a quote for downstream-ready additional cell culture reagents.

Additional Cell Culture Reagents

TM999-100

USDA Research Grade Origin Fetal Bovine Serum

USDA Research Grade Origin Fetal Bovine Serum (TM999) by Applied Biological Materials is an economical FBS for routine cell culture, triple 0.1 µm filtered, ≤20 EU/ml endotoxin, ≤30 mg/dl hemoglobin, screened for mycoplasma and key viruses. Available in 100 ml (TM999-100) and 500 ml (TM999-500). Use at 5–20% v/v. Store at –20°C; 60-month shelf life. Canada only.

Usage

ViralEntry™ Transduction Enhancer

G515 by Applied Biological Materials is a 100X concentrated lentiviral and retroviral transduction enhancer that boosts transduction efficiency by up to 10X in difficult cell types including primary T cells, macrophages, and endothelial progenitors. Add directly to culture media—no specialized equipment needed. Validated in 15+ published cell types; superior to polybrene for primary immune cells.

<h2>What are L-glutamine and amino acid supplements?</h2>
&nbsp;
L-glutamine and amino acid supplements are cell culture additives used to support cellular metabolism, growth, viability, and biosynthesis. They provide nutrients that may become depleted during culture or are required in greater quantities than those supplied by basal media alone. These supplements are commonly added to media such as DMEM, RPMI 1640, MEM, and DMEM/F-12 to optimize cell growth and maintain healthy cultures.
L-glutamine is one of the most important supplements in mammalian cell culture because it serves as a major energy source and is required for protein synthesis, nucleotide production, and glutathione synthesis. However, because free L-glutamine is unstable in solution and gradually breaks down into ammonia and pyroglutamate, many laboratories use stabilized alternatives such as GlutaMAX (L-alanyl-L-glutamine) for extended culture applications.
&nbsp;
<h2>What you will find:</h2>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>L-Glutamine stable formulations for sourcing of essential nitrogen</li>
<li>Non-Essential Amino Acids (NEAA) for growth media enhancement</li>
<li>Synthetic Polymer Coatings Poly-L-Ornithine and Poly-L-Lysine solutions for better cell attachment.</li>
<li>Extracellular Matrix Proteins used for cell adhesion and include high-purity Fibronectin and Vitronectin coating reagents</li>
<li>Adhesion Promotion Reagents for improving the surface properties of culture vessels.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<h2>How to choose L-glutamine and amino acid supplements</h2>
&nbsp;
L-glutamine concentration and format
Most mammalian cell culture systems use L-glutamine concentrations between 2&ndash;6 mM, although requirements vary depending on the medium and cell type. It is commonly supplied as:
<ul>
<li>USP-grade powder for custom media preparation</li>
<li>200 mM liquid stock solutions for direct supplementation</li>
</ul>
Liquid stocks should be aliquoted and stored frozen to minimize repeated freeze-thaw cycles and preserve stability.
Understanding glutamine degradation
Free L-glutamine gradually breaks down in aqueous solution through a non-enzymatic process that produces ammonia and pyroglutamate. This degradation accelerates with increasing temperature, storage time, and exposure to common cell culture buffer systems.
Ammonia accumulation can negatively affect cell growth, viability, productivity, and experimental reproducibility, particularly during long culture periods without media replacement.
GlutaMAX and stable glutamine alternatives
GlutaMAX (L-alanyl-L-glutamine) is a stabilized dipeptide form of glutamine designed to resist degradation in culture media. Once taken up by cells, it is converted into usable glutamine while maintaining greater stability during incubation.
<ul>
<li>Reduced ammonia accumulation</li>
<li>Improved media stability</li>
<li>Better performance in long-term cultures</li>
<li>Less frequent media replacement requirements</li>
</ul>
For most applications, GlutaMAX can directly replace standard L-glutamine without protocol modifications.
MEM non-essential amino acids (NEAA)
NEAA supplements provide amino acids that cells can synthesize themselves but may benefit from receiving directly from the culture medium. Supplementation reduces the metabolic burden of amino acid production and often improves growth rates and cell viability.
NEAA solutions are typically supplied as 100X concentrates and diluted to 1X working concentration.
HT supplement
HT supplement contains hypoxanthine and thymidine and is commonly used following HAT selection during hybridoma production. It supports nucleotide synthesis through salvage pathways while cells recover from selection pressure.
MEM vitamin solution
Vitamin supplements provide additional growth-supporting micronutrients that may become limiting during prolonged culture or in demanding applications. These supplements are often used alongside amino acid supplementation to enhance culture performance.
&nbsp;
<h2>Specifications context</h2>
&nbsp;
The standard L-glutamine concentration used in many mammalian culture systems is approximately 2 mM, though actual requirements vary by medium formulation and cell type. Free L-glutamine remains stable as a dry powder and frozen stock solution but degrades progressively once added to liquid media.
Stabilized glutamine products such as GlutaMAX have become increasingly common because they maintain glutamine availability while minimizing ammonia accumulation during incubation. These formulations are particularly valuable in long-duration experiments and high-density culture systems.
<a href="https://mbpinc.net/contact-us">Contact the expert team</a> at MBP today to get research-grade supplements for your lab.

L-Glutamine & Amino Acids

Vitronectin Coating Solution (0.5 mg/ml)

Vitronectin Coating Solution TM060 — 0.5 mg/ml, 0.2 ml. Human ECM glycoprotein for coating TC surfaces; promotes cell adhesion, differentiation, migration, and proliferation. Integrin αvβ3/αvβ5 ligand. Ideal for feeder-free iPSC/ESC culture. Sterility tested, QC validated. Store 2–8 °C (6 mo) or −20 °C (12 mo); avoid multiple freeze–thaw. RUO.

<h2 data-section-id="185nm5c" data-start="0" data-end="38">What is classic cell culture media?</h2>
&nbsp;
Classic cell culture media refers to the foundational basal medium formulations that have underpinned mammalian cell culture for decades, including DMEM (Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium), MEM (Minimum Essential Medium), RPMI 1640, Ham's F-10, Ham's F-12, IMDM (Iscove's Modified Dulbecco's Medium), and DMEM/F-12. These media provide the amino acids, vitamins, glucose, salts, buffering agents, and other nutrients required to support cell survival and growth in vitro. They form the basis of many modern specialized, serum-free, and advanced media formulations used in academic research, biotechnology, pharmaceutical development, and biomanufacturing.
&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">What you will find:</h2>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" aria-level="1">
&nbsp;Availability of both low and high carbohydrate levels of balanced basal formulations for the distinct metabolic requirements of diverse mammalian cell lines.
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" aria-level="1">
Maintenance of precise physiological pH during long-term incubation cycles using optimized buffering configurations with integrated chemical stabilizers&nbsp;
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" aria-level="1">
Nutrient-dense cell media supplemented with vitamins and essential amino acids to support&nbsp; hybridomas and rapidly proliferating continuous cultures
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Optimized serum reduction along with enhanced cell attachment using&nbsp;Multi-purpose 1:1 formulation hybrids&nbsp;
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Salt solutions supplemented with essential minerals to facilitate enzyme preparation, cell washing, and reliable short-term osmotic maintenance.
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</ul>
&nbsp;
<h2 data-section-id="1blio5n" data-start="931" data-end="964">How to choose a classic medium</h2>
&nbsp;
DMEM vs MEM
DMEM contains up to four times the amino acids and vitamins found in MEM, along with higher glucose concentrations, making it suitable for cell types with elevated nutrient demands. It is widely used for primary cells, stem cells, and many transformed mammalian cell lines. MEM, based on the original Eagle's formulation, remains a common choice for standard monolayer culture and is available with different salt formulations to support various applications.
RPMI 1640 for suspension and hematopoietic culture
RPMI 1640 was originally developed for culturing human leukemic cells and remains the preferred medium for lymphocytes, hybridomas, and other hematopoietic cell types. Its formulation includes glutathione and elevated levels of biotin, vitamin B12, and PABA. Although designed for suspension cultures, RPMI 1640 also supports a wide range of adherent cell lines when appropriately supplemented.
Ham's F-10/F-12 for CHO and specialized applications
Ham's nutrient mixtures were developed for CHO cells and other specialized cell types. Their formulations include additional nutrients such as zinc, putrescine, hypoxanthine, and thymidine, making them useful for hepatocyte culture, toxicity testing, viral fusion studies, and other specialized applications. These media can be used with or without serum depending on the experimental requirements.
DMEM/F-12 for complex, rich-medium applications
DMEM/F-12 combines the nutrient-rich composition of DMEM with the specialized components found in Ham's F-12. The resulting formulation supports demanding cell types including MDCK cells, glial cells, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells. It is also widely used as the foundation for many serum-free and advanced culture systems.
IMDM for high-density rapid proliferation
IMDM is an enriched derivative of DMEM that contains additional amino acids, vitamins, HEPES buffer, sodium pyruvate, and potassium nitrate. Its enhanced nutrient profile makes it particularly suitable for rapidly proliferating and high-density cultures such as Jurkat cells, COS-7 cells, and macrophages.
Liquid vs powder format
Liquid classic media are supplied ready for use after the addition of serum and required supplements. Powdered media offer lower shipping costs and greater flexibility for high-volume laboratories but require reconstitution, sodium bicarbonate addition, and sterile filtration before use.
&nbsp;
<h2 data-section-id="1fljvas" data-start="4382" data-end="4407">Specifications context</h2>
&nbsp;
Classic media are manufactured according to their original published formulations, with only stability-related modifications where necessary. Most liquid formulations contain sodium bicarbonate as the primary buffering system and require incubation in a 5&ndash;10% CO₂ atmosphere to maintain physiological pH. Powdered formulations require reconstitution, sodium bicarbonate supplementation, and sterile filtration before use.
As of 2026, DMEM, DMEM/F-12, and RPMI 1640 remain the most widely used classic cell culture media across academic, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and biomanufacturing laboratories. IMDM continues to gain popularity for high-density culture and bioprocessing applications.
For recombinant growth factors and cytokines used alongside classic media, see Recombinant Proteins. For supplementation reagents such as GlutaMAX, NEAA, sodium pyruvate, and 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 today and get optimized classic media for your lab.

Classic Media

William's E  Medium

William's E Medium (TM513) by Applied Biological Materials is a 500 ml sterile basal medium containing L-glutamine, sodium bicarbonate (2.2 g/L), and phenol red (no HEPES), the standard medium for primary hepatocyte culture, drug metabolism, CYP induction, and ADME research. Supplement with 5–10% FBS; requires 5–10% CO₂. Store at 2–8°C, protected from light.

Caution

<h2 dir="ltr">What Are Specialized Cloning Vectors &amp; Viral Tools?</h2>
 Standard lentiviral and retroviral expression vectors meet the needs of most overexpression and knockdown workflows, but many cell biology and translational research questions demand purpose-engineered constructs with specialised functions &mdash; subcellular localisation, multi-gene co-expression, or conditional activation. Select the format best suited to your experimental requirements.
&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">What you will find:</h2>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
<a href="https://mbpinc.net/reagents/dna/cloning-services-products/specialized-cloning-vectors/-virus/organelle-labeling-viruses">Organelle Labeling Viruses: </a>for live-cell visualization and functional pathway analysis of cellular structures in mammalian systems
</li>
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Targeted fluorescent labeling of specific cellular structures using viral delivery.
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Stable expression of organelle-specific markers for long-term live-cell imaging.
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Compatible with fluorescence microscopy for dynamic cellular imaging applications.
</li>
<li data-section-id="8k7pm2" data-start="506" data-end="603" data-is-last-node="">Suitable for studying organelle organization, transport, and cellular function in living cells.</li>
</ul>
<h2 dir="ltr"> How to Choose Specialized Cloning Vectors</h2>
 Subcellular Targeting Needs Organelle-targeted fluorescent labeling lentiviral particles deliver fluorescent protein constructs targeting mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, nucleus, Golgi, lysosome, peroxisome, plasma membrane, autophagosome, and cytoskeleton &mdash; providing a stable alternative to chemical dyes for live-cell imaging. Multi-Gene Co-Expression Bicistronic vectors using IRES or 2A self-cleaving peptide sequences enable co-expression of two genes (e.g., a gene of interest and a fluorescent marker) from a single transcript or vector. Conditional Expression Requirements Conditional DIO/FLEX vectors restrict transgene expression to Cre-expressing cells, essential for circuit-specific neuroscience research and in vivo conditional gene expression studies. Temporal Control Needs Inducible constructs (Tet-On/Tet-Off systems) provide doxycycline-regulated transgene activation for experiments requiring temporal control over expression timing. Delivery Format Most specialised constructs are available as lentiviral particles for stable, long-term expression in both dividing and non-dividing cell types, including primary cells and in vivo models. 
<h2 dir="ltr"> Specifications Context</h2>
&nbsp;
Traditional subcellular organelle imaging relies on chemical dyes (e.g., MitoTracker, LysoTracker, ER-Tracker) or antibody-based immunofluorescence in fixed cells; however, chemical dyes are transient and may exhibit cytotoxicity at working concentrations, while antibody-based methods are limited to endpoint imaging. Viral organelle-targeted fluorescent expression systems enable stable, genetically encoded labeling for long-term live-cell imaging and dynamic subcellular tracking. These constructs are supplied in plasmid DNA and pre-packaged viral formats and support applications including organelle dynamics, trafficking studies, and multicolor imaging workflows. Specialized cloning vectors and viral tools are sourced from established manufacturers, including Applied Biological Materials (ABM), and product availability reflects MBP&rsquo;s catalogue as of mid-2026.
&nbsp;
<a href="https://mbpinc.net/contact-us" style="color: #236fa1;">Contact the MBP team </a>today and get specialized cloning vectors for your lab.

Specialized Cloning Vectors/ Viruses

Specialized Cloning Vectors/ Virus

YFP-P2A-LOCa3 (coexpressing LOCa3, mKate2 a red fluorescent protein as marker)

AX0010033 by Applied Biological Materials is a 1.0 µg P2A expression plasmid co-expressing YFP (excitation ~514 nm, emission ~527 nm), LOCa3 (light-operated calcium actuator), and mKate2 (far-red expression marker; excitation ~588 nm, emission ~633 nm) as separate proteins. For optogenetic calcium actuation with multi-spectral expression tracking. mKate2 far-red marker is spectrally orthogonal to GFP/GCaMP indicators for multi-color experimental design.

<h2>What are RNA tracking dyes?</h2>
&nbsp;
RNA tracking dyes are cell-permeant, fluorogenic nucleic acid stains that selectively bind RNA over DNA, remaining virtually nonfluorescent in the unbound state and lighting up brightly once bound to RNA, which gives a clean, low-background signal for live-cell imaging. The best-characterized commercial example binds RNA with absorption and emission maxima around 490/530 nm and only weak signal when bound to DNA, validated by RNase and DNase removal experiments showing that RNase treatment eliminates nucleolar and cytoplasmic labeling while DNase treatment does not.
&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">What you will find:</h2>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Biotinylated Fluorophores: High-affinity markers such as TO1, TO3, and YO3-3PEG-Biotin, engineered for robust labeling and permanent capture of RNA molecules in various structural and functional assays.
</li>
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Desthiobiotin Modifications: Specialized tools like the TO1-3PEG-Desthiobiotin Fluorophore (G7956) that allow for reversible binding and gentle elution, making them ideal for enrichment workflows where maintaining the native state of the RNA is critical.
</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<h2>How to choose RNA tracking dyes</h2>
&nbsp;
Confirm the dye is genuinely RNA-selective rather than a general nucleic acid stain
A true RNA-selective dye shows bright fluorescence when bound to RNA but only weak signal when bound to DNA, a distinction worth confirming against published spectral and RNase/DNase validation data before committing to a specific dye for an RNA-specific application.
Match the dye to your specific RNA visualization goal
Different dyes in a related family vary in their subcellular binding behavior, with some binding cytoplasmic RNA specifically, useful for tracking RNA granule transport in living neurons, while others are optimized for general nucleolar and cytoplasmic RNA staining.
Plan your fixation method around the dye's stated compatibility
Methanol fixation after staining generally preserves an RNA tracking dye's staining pattern with minimal loss, while formaldehyde fixation can alter the staining pattern, a distinction worth confirming before choosing a fixation protocol for downstream analysis.
Consider a dye sampler kit when working with an unfamiliar cell or tissue type
Dye staining behavior can vary across different cell and tissue types, so a sampler kit containing several related dyes lets you empirically determine which performs best for your specific sample before committing to a single dye for a full study.
Confirm buffer compatibility for the staining solution
RNA tracking dyes are generally compatible with standard physiological buffers in the pH 7.0&ndash;8.0 range, including PBS, for preparing the staining solution used in live-cell experiments.
&nbsp;
<h2>Specifications context</h2>
&nbsp;
RNA tracking dyes have been used to stain RNA cargo in exosomes in both live-cell samples and isolated exosome preparations, and to differentiate apoptotic from non-apoptotic cells when paired with other viability indicators, reflecting the breadth of live-cell RNA applications beyond simple visualization. As of 2026, newer experimental small-molecule RNA dyes reporting higher fluorogenic enhancement and improved photostability have been described in the academic literature as potential alternatives to the long-standing commercial standard, though these remain research-stage rather than established catalog items.
Visualize your transcripts with precision&mdash;<a href="https://mbpinc.net/contact-us">contact the MBP team</a> today for a quote on our professional RNA tracking solutions.

RNA Tracking dyes

RNA Mango Insertion Guidelines

YO3-3PEG-Biotin Fluorophore

YO3-3PEG-Biotin Fluorophore G7957 (ABM) — 250 µM, 100 µl. Bifunctional dye for RNA Mango aptamers (Mango I–IV). Peak excitation 580 nm, peak emission 620 nm (orange), 61-fold enhancement with Mango III A10U. Biotin pull-down handle. FRET acceptor with GFP emitters. Store −20 °C, protect from light. RUO.

Depositor

Shipping condition

<h2 dir="ltr">What Are Lentiviral Control &amp; Reporter Constructs?</h2>
 Rigorous experimental design requires matched controls that enter the same delivery workflow as the test construct. Lentiviral control and reporter constructs use the same vector backbones, promoters, and packaging systems as experimental vectors &mdash; ensuring observed differences between treated and control cells reflect genuine biological effects rather than artefacts of the delivery process.
&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">What you will find:</h2>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"><a href="https://mbpinc.net/reagents/dna/cloning-services-products/lentivirus/over-expression/control/reporter/luciferase-reporter">Luciferase Reporters: </a>for reliable assay validation using selective promoter-specific vectors, fluorescent reporters, dual-reporter systems, and background control</li>
<li data-section-id="644n3l" data-start="108" data-end="253">Fluorescent Reporter Controls: GFP and RFP lentiviral vectors and viruses for monitoring transduction efficiency and transgene expression.</li>
<li data-section-id="19809zr" data-start="255" data-end="399">Blank Control Vectors &amp; Viruses: Empty lentiviral backbones for negative controls, promoter evaluation, and custom construct development.</li>
<li data-section-id="112pumm" data-start="401" data-end="569">Promoter &amp; UTR Reporter Systems:&nbsp; Reporter vectors designed for promoter activity and regulatory element analysis, including promoter and 5&prime; UTR reporter formats.</li>
<li data-section-id="1j5a9h3" data-start="571" data-end="736">Selectable Marker Controls: Control constructs with puromycin, neomycin, hygromycin, and blasticidin resistance markers for selection and workflow validation.</li>
</ul>
<h2 dir="ltr"> How to Choose Control &amp; Reporter Constructs</h2>
 Control Type Needed Empty vector controls carry only the selection marker (puromycin, blasticidin, or hygromycin resistance) without a gene of interest, providing the baseline reference for overexpression or knockdown experiments. Fluorescent Reporter Channel GFP and RFP lentiviral reporters allow real-time monitoring of transduction efficiency by flow cytometry or fluorescence microscopy, matching the experimental construct's promoter for an accurate expected-expression reference. Luciferase Reporter Pairing Firefly luciferase (P. pyralis) and Renilla luciferase (R. reniformis) are the two most commonly paired reporters; because they use different substrates (D-luciferin and coelenterazine, respectively), both signals can be measured sequentially from the same sample. Promoter-less Baseline A promoter-less dual luciferase control vector provides a no-promoter baseline against which promoter-driven reporter constructs are normalised &mdash; useful for establishing background signal levels. Vector Backbone Matching Using a matched vector backbone ensures observed differences between experimental and control cells are due to the transgene, not differences in vector, promoter strength, integration preference, or selection marker. 
<h2 dir="ltr"> Specifications Context</h2>
 Because lentiviral integration is heritable, transduced cells maintain stable reporter gene expression across cell divisions &mdash; stable luciferase or GFP reporter cell lines generated this way are widely used in drug screening, pathway activation assays, and long-term in vivo imaging. Through ABM, MBP can supply promoter-reporter lentiviral constructs covering human and mouse promoters, driving firefly luciferase or GFP expression, as plasmid DNA or pre-packaged particles. Both plasmid and pre-packaged formats are available for immediate dispatch, with institutional account pricing available for core facilities. Core facilities managing reporter constructs across multiple research groups often standardise on a small set of validated control vectors to simplify inventory and ensure consistency across projects.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;
<a href="https://mbpinc.net/contact-us">Contact the expert team</a> at MBP today to get high-quality lentiviral control/reporters for your lab.

Control/Reporter

Lentiviral Vector Amplification Protocol

AAV Infection Guideline

AAV Packaging Protocol

Selection-Drug Killing Curve

Lentivector Packaging Protocol

Lentivirus Infection Protocol

β-Gal Control

LV007 by Applied Biological Materials is a pre-packaged β-galactosidase (LacZ) lentiviral control virus supplied as 4 × 500 µL. Ready to transduce — no packaging required. Standard irrelevant-gene transduction control and positive reporter control for lentiviral experiments; detectable by X-gal staining or ONPG/CPRG enzyme assay. Research Use Only.