Name: Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (Human)
Brand: Molecular Depot
SKU: B2010278
Price: 395.00 USD
Availability: InStock

<h2 data-section-id="108uqlh" data-start="0" data-end="40">What are insulin-like growth factors?</h2>
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Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1, also called somatomedin C) and IGF-2 are recombinant proteins structurally related to insulin that bind the IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) and activate the PI3K/AKT and ERK1/2 signaling pathways to drive cell proliferation, survival, and metabolism. Related entities include serum-free media (SFM) formulation, human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) maintenance, R3-IGF-1 analog, neural progenitor cell culture, and insulin receptor (INSR) cross-reactivity.
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<h2 dir="ltr">What you'll find in this category: </h2>
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Metabolic Growth Regulators: Premium proteins designed to drive cellular expansion and protein synthesis across diverse lines.
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Serum-Free Media Additives: Clean, low-endotoxin factors optimized to support cell survival in chemically defined environments.
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Cellular Longevity Assets: Stable signaling tools prepared to minimize apoptosis and extend culture viability during scaling.
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<h2 data-section-id="3z5q03" data-start="704" data-end="733">How to choose IGF products</h2>
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Standard IGF-1 vs. R3-IGF-1
Standard recombinant human IGF-1 binds IGF-1R and insulin receptors, while the R3-IGF-1 analog carries an amino acid substitution (Arg for Glu3) that reduces binding to IGF-binding proteins, making it a more potent and cost-effective option for serum-free media at lower concentrations. Confirm which form a published serum-free formulation specifies before substituting.
Carrier-free vs. carrier-added formulation
Carrier-free IGF-1 (no BSA) is preferred for animal-component-free (ACF) pluripotent stem cell media, where bovine carrier protein could affect downstream proteomic or single-cell analysis. Carrier-added IGF-1 offers improved stability for general serum-free culture supplementation.
IGF-1 vs. IGF-2
IGF-1 is the more commonly used form in serum-free media and stem cell maintenance, while IGF-2 is specified in some developmental biology and placental cell culture protocols. Confirm the published protocol names the specific isoform before ordering.
Concentration and media role
IGF-1 is typically used in the low ng/mL to tens of ng/mL range in serum-free media, often alongside insulin and transferrin (ITS supplements). In human pluripotent stem cell media, IGF-1 can substitute for or supplement basic FGF depending on the formulation.
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<h2 data-section-id="1fljvas" data-start="3001" data-end="3026">Specifications context</h2>
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IGF-1 activity is reported as ED50 in a proliferation assay, commonly using murine BALB/c 3T3 or FDC-P1 cells, with specific activity often expressed as units per milligram. Purity by SDS-PAGE is typically above 98%. Pack sizes for academic laboratories commonly range from 10 micrograms to 1 milligram, with the R3-IGF-1 analog often priced competitively for high-volume serum-free media production. As of 2026, IGF-1 remains a standard component of chemically defined, serum-free media formulations used across CHO bioprocessing and academic stem cell laboratories.
This category sits within MBP's growth factors and hormones catalog alongside fibroblast growth factors (FGF), which are frequently co-formulated in stem cell media, and peptide hormones, which include insulin itself. Laboratories developing neural progenitor culture protocols may also explore nerve growth factors. MBP's specialist team can help confirm which IGF-1 format and pack size best fits a specific serum-free media workflow and budget.
Need to stock up on bulk quantities for your expansion schedules?&nbsp;<a href="https://mbpinc.net/contact-us">Contact the MBP desk</a>, and we&rsquo;ll get your media components squared away.

Insulin-Like Growth Factors

Molecular Depot

Key Specifications

Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (Human)

Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (Human) by Molecular Depot is highly pure recombinant human insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) expressed in E. coli. IGF-1 is a mitogenic factor that binds the IGF type 1 receptor and modulates growth in nervous, lymphoid, reproductive and smooth muscle tissue. It is used as a growth supplement in serum-free cell culture, in growth hormone and IGF signaling research and as a standard in IGF-1 immunoassays. Each unit contains 10 µg. MBP supplies Molecular Depot research reagents to research labs in the United States, Canada and worldwide.