Cell Culture

<h2 data-section-id="v1drft" data-start="0" data-end="43">What are cloning chemicals and reagents?</h2>
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Cloning chemicals and reagents cover the enzymes, buffers, and molecular biology-grade chemicals used in DNA fragment preparation, modification, and purification within a cloning workflow, including restriction endonucleases, T4 DNA ligase and other DNA-modifying enzymes (phosphatases, polymerases), reaction buffers, and plasmid extraction reagents. Related entities include restriction enzyme digestion, DNA dephosphorylation/phosphorylation, plasmid DNA purification (column-based and magnetic bead-based), and enzyme unit definitions.
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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;" role="presentation">Targeted XJa and XJb strains for faster recovery of proteins.</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" role="presentation">Mix &amp; Go! solutions for optimized and dependable bacterial transformation.</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" role="presentation">Culture Media &amp; Supplements used for yeast research, and include YPD Plus and mating pheromones.</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" role="presentation">Extraction and Lysis Reagents include reliable genomic preparation and yeast protein kits.</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" role="presentation">Chromogenic Substrates and Enzymatic Inducers with highly pure X-GAL and IPTG for cloning and blue-white screening.</li>
</ul>
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<h2 data-section-id="1daajgc" data-start="866" data-end="913">How to choose cloning chemicals and reagents</h2>
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Restriction enzyme selection and buffer compatibility
Restriction enzymes require specific reaction buffers, and many modern enzyme lines use a single universal buffer compatible across multiple enzymes to simplify double-digest reactions; confirm buffer compatibility when combining enzymes from different suppliers or using older single-buffer-per-enzyme formulations.
Enzyme unit definitions and reaction scale
Restriction enzyme and ligase activity is defined in units per microliter, with one unit typically defined as the amount needed to digest or ligate a defined quantity of standard substrate DNA under specified conditions in a set time; scale enzyme quantity to the amount of DNA being processed rather than assuming a fixed volume works for all reaction sizes.
Plasmid purification grade
Plasmid DNA extraction reagents range from molecular biology grade, suitable for general cloning and sequencing, to transfection-grade or endotoxin-free formulations required for applications such as lentiviral packaging or mammalian cell transfection, where endotoxin contamination can reduce transfection efficiency or cause cell stress.
Dephosphorylation for preventing vector self-ligation
Alkaline phosphatase treatment of a linearized vector before ligation removes 5' phosphate groups, preventing vector self-ligation and improving the ratio of recombinant clones; this step is particularly useful when the vector and insert share compatible sticky ends that could otherwise religate without insert incorporation.
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<h2 data-section-id="1fljvas" data-start="3459" data-end="3484">Specifications context</h2>
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Restriction enzymes and ligases are supplied at defined unit concentrations (commonly 10&ndash;20 units per microliter for restriction enzymes), with reaction buffers formulated for specific pH and salt conditions optimized for enzyme activity. Plasmid purification kits are differentiated by yield (micrograms of DNA recovered), purity (A260/A280 ratio), and endotoxin level (endotoxin units per microgram), with endotoxin-free kits specifying levels below a defined threshold suitable for transfection applications.&nbsp;
This sub-category is part of MBP's cloning catalog alongside ligation independent cloning kits and transformation kits and competent cells, used downstream of enzyme-based fragment preparation. Labs producing custom lentivirus for immortalization can also review MBP's cell immortalization catalog. MBP's specialist team can help confirm enzyme buffer compatibility and plasmid purification grade for a specific downstream application before order placement.
<a href="https://mbpinc.net/contact-us">Contact the expert team </a>at MBP today to request a quote for high-purity chemicals and reagents.

Chemicals/Reagents

MSDS

DataSheet

Rattler Plating Beads

Rattler Plating Beads by Zymo Research — 4.5 mm solid glass beads for spreading bacteria and yeast on agar plates without a spreader or flame. Reusable after bleach wash and autoclaving. Available as S1001 (1×230 g, sterile), S1001-5 (5×230 g, sterile), and S1001-B (25 kg bulk bag, non-sterile).

Material

Packaging

Product Storage

Manufacturer

Rattler™ Plating Beads (230 g Bottle)

Rattler™ Plating Beads (5 x 230 g Bottles)

Rattler™ Plating Beads, Bulk (25 kg Bag)

<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>
&nbsp;
<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.

Antibiotics

Tetracycline Hydrochloride

Zymo Research Tetracycline Hydrochloride: 10 mg/ml in 95% ethanol, ≥98% purity, ready-to-use at 10–20 µg/ml. Store at −20°C. Two sizes: A1004-5 (5 mL) and A1004-25 (5 × 5 mL = 25 mL total).

Concentration

Purity

Working Concentration

Shipping Condition

Storage Condition

Tetracycline Hydrochloride (10 mg/ml in Ethanol) (5 x 5 ml)

Tetracycline Hydrochloride (10 mg/ml in Ethanol) (5 ml)

X-GAL (5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl β-D-galactopyranoside)

X-GAL by Zymo Research is a ready-to-use 2% w/v sterile solution in DMF for blue-white colony screening and β-galactosidase detection. Available as X1001-25 (5 × 5 ml) and X1001-5 (1 × 5 ml). Formulated to minimize false positives. Store at -20°C. Made in the USA by Zymo Research.

5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl β-D-galactopyranoside (X-GAL) (5 x 5 ml)

5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl β-D-galactopyranoside (X-GAL) (5 ml)

Protocol

XJa Autolysis Glycerol Stock (1 Tube)

T5021 by Zymo Research is the XJa Autolysis Glycerol Stock — an EndA-/RecA- E. coli expression strain with L-Arabinose-inducible autolysis achieving 80–90% cell lysis in 10 minutes. Supplied as 1 tube with 1 ml 500× L-Arabinose. Handles plasmids up to 10 kb. Store at -70°C to -80°C. For protein expression and high-quality nucleic acid extraction.

Autolysis

Cell Growth

DNA Extraction

DNA Stability

Genotype

Processing Time

Protein Expression

XJa (DE3) Autolysis Glycerol Stock (1 Tube)

XJa (DE3) Autolysis Glycerol Stock T5031 by Zymo Research — 1 mL glycerol stock with 500× L-arabinose — provides 80–90% cell lysis after a single freeze-thaw cycle (~10 min post-harvest). The DE3 lysogen supports T7 promoter–based recombinant protein expression; growth requires 1 mM Mg²⁺ supplementation. Storage at –70°C to –80°C. Order via <a href="https://www.mbpinc.net/quickorder">Quick Order</a> or contact <a href="mailto:customerservice@mbpinc.net">customerservice@mbpinc.net</a>.

XJb Autolysis Glycerol Stock (1 Tube)

XJb Autolysis Glycerol Stock (T5041) by Zymo Research — arabinose-inducible autolysis E. coli strain for reagent-free recombinant protein extraction. Lon⁻, OmpT⁻. 80–90% lysis efficiency in ~10 min. 1 Tube, store at −70°C to −80°C.

XJb (DE3) Autolysis Glycerol Stock (1 Tube)

T5051 by Zymo Research is the XJb (DE3) Autolysis Glycerol Stock (1 ml, 1 tube), a self-lysing E. coli expression strain with DE3 T7 RNA polymerase, Lon⁻ OmpT⁻ background, and arabinose-inducible λ endolysin for 80–90% cell lysis within 10 minutes. Eliminates sonication in recombinant protein workflows. Supplied with 500× L-Arabinose. Store at -70°C to -80°C.

Yeast Protein Kit (200 Preps)

Yeast Protein Kit (Y1002) by Zymo Research — 200 preps for enzymatic lysis of Zymolyase-susceptible yeast and fungi (S. cerevisiae, C. albicans, Kluyveromyces, and others) in approximately 35 minutes. Lysates suitable for Western blot and PCR. Y-Lysis Buffer refill available separately (Y1002-1-6).

Applicable For

Equipment

Sample Source

Y-Lysis Buffer

Y-Lysis Buffer by Zymo Research is a specialized buffer for enzymatic yeast and fungal cell wall digestion, used at 25 µl per sample alongside Zymolyase in nucleic acid isolation workflows optimized for Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida albicans. Available in 6 ml (Y1002-1-6) and 100 ml (Y1002-1-100) formats.

Y-Lysis Buffer (100 ml)

Y-Lysis Buffer (6 ml)

YPD Plus

Y1003 by Zymo Research is a specially formulated YPD outgrowth medium that increases yeast transformation efficiency by more than 50% compared to standard YPD. Recommended for mutant strains with poor growth characteristics, library screening, and multi-plasmid transformation experiments. Available in 50 ml (Y1003-50) and 100 ml (Y1003-100) formats.

YPD Plus (100 ml)

YPD Plus (50 ml)

<h2 data-section-id="b4wzzk" data-start="0" data-end="47">What is bacterial culture media for cloning?</h2>
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Bacterial culture media for cloning workflows includes LB (Luria-Bertani) broth and agar, the standard general-purpose media for E. coli growth, SOC media used for post-transformation recovery, and Terrific Broth for higher-density culture in plasmid preparation. Pre-made agar plates with antibiotic selection (ampicillin, kanamycin, chloramphenicol, and others matching common selection markers) are used to isolate colonies carrying the desired plasmid. Related entities include antibiotic selection markers matching transformation kit resistance genes, post-transformation recovery time, and plasmid yield scaling with culture volume and media richness.
&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">What you will find:</h2>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">ZymoBroth Growth Media for efficient transformation workflows to generate highly competent bacterial cells</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Overexpression Broth (OB) optimized for increasing recombinant protein yields with high-density nutrient media.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Expansion Broth (EB) for the faster and more reliable expansion of microbial cultures.</li>
<li dir="ltr" role="presentation">Dual Media Sets for integrated growth and induction workflows with the help of combined EB and OB systems</li>
</ul>
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<h2 data-section-id="9xi4x5" data-start="919" data-end="971">How to choose bacterial culture media for cloning</h2>
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LB broth/agar vs. Terrific Broth
LB broth and agar are the standard general-purpose media for routine cloning, colony selection, and small-scale plasmid preparation, while Terrific Broth provides higher nutrient density supporting higher bacterial cell density, making it useful when maximizing plasmid yield in larger-scale preparations.
SOC media for post-transformation recovery
SOC media is richer than standard LB and supplemented with glucose and magnesium. It is commonly used for a brief recovery incubation immediately after heat-shock or electroporation transformation, helping transformed cells recover before plating on selective agar. Some transformation protocols specifically recommend SOC rather than LB for this recovery step.
Antibiotic selection matching
Pre-made antibiotic-selective agar plates must match the resistance marker carried by the transformed plasmid, whether ampicillin, kanamycin, chloramphenicol, or another selection marker. Using the wrong antibiotic&mdash;or no antibiotic at all&mdash;will not properly select for plasmid-containing colonies and may allow unwanted bacterial growth.
Liquid vs. agar plate formats and shelf life
Liquid media (broth) is used for post-transformation recovery and culture scale-up, while agar plates are used for colony isolation and selection. Pre-made antibiotic plates have a defined shelf life because antibiotics gradually lose activity over time, making expiration dates particularly important for antibiotics with lower stability.
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<h2 data-section-id="1fljvas" data-start="3523" data-end="3548">Specifications context</h2>
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LB broth and agar are formulated with defined concentrations of tryptone, yeast extract, and sodium chloride, with agar plates commonly supplied in standard Petri dish sizes (for example, 100 mm) and containing antibiotic concentrations matched to common resistance markers, such as 100 &micro;g/mL ampicillin or 50 &micro;g/mL kanamycin. SOC recovery is typically performed as a short incubation, often around one hour at 37&deg;C with shaking, before plating cells on selective agar.&nbsp;
This sub-category is part of MBP's cloning catalog alongside transformation kits and competent cells, the immediately preceding step, and chemicals/reagents for enzyme-based fragment preparation. Labs scaling up plasmid production for lentivirus packaging in immortalization workflows can also review MBP's cell immortalization catalog. MBP's specialist team can help confirm antibiotic concentration and media format requirements for a specific selection marker before order placement.
<a href="https://mbpinc.net/contact-us">Contact the expert team</a> at MBP today to request a quote for high-quality culture media.

Culture Media

ZymoBroth

ZymoBroth by Zymo Research: growth medium for highly competent E. coli cell preparation, delivering 5–100× transformation efficiency over standard SOB. Compatible with JM109, HB101, BL21, and other strains. Part of the Mix &amp; Go! Transformation Kit workflow. Room temperature storage. Research use only. Available in 100mL (M3015-100) and 500mL (M3015-500).