Gibco™ MEM, powder

Minimum Essential Medium (MEM) is one of the most commonly used of all cell culture media. MEM can be used with a variety of suspension and adherent mammalian cells, including HeLa, BHK-21, 293, HEP-2, HT-1080, MCF-7, fibroblasts, and primary rat astrocytes. We offer a variety of Gibco™ MEM modifications for a range of cell culture applications. Find the right formulation using the media selector tool.

This MEM is modified as follows:

With: L-glutamine, Phenol Red

Without: HEPES, Sodium Bicarbonate

The complete formulation is available.

Gibco™ MEM, developed by Harry Eagle, was based on his earlier formulation of Basal Medium Eagle (BME). Many other modifications of MEM followed, including Glasgow's MEM, MEM α, DMEM, and Temin's Modification. MEM is available with Earle's salts for use in a CO₂ incubator, or with Hanks' salts for use without CO₂. This product is made with Earle's salts.

Using MEM

MEM contains no proteins, lipids, or growth factors. Therefore, MEM requires supplementation, commonly with 10% Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS). MEM uses a sodium bicarbonate buffer system (2.2 g/L) and therefore requires a 5–10% CO₂ environment to maintain physiological pH. Powder forms of Gibco™ cell culture medium require sodium bicarbonate supplementation, pH adjustment, and filtration at the time of preparation (see protocol for details).

Please note that the shelf life on delivered products varies. This product has a minimum shelf life of 6 months at time of shipment. For more information regarding product shelf life, including details on specific product lots, please contact Customer Service.