What Is DMEM/F-12? The DMEM and Ham’s F-12 Blend Explained
DMEM/F-12 is one of the most popular cell culture media in use today. It is a 1:1 blend of DMEM and Ham's F-12 that combines the richness of DMEM with…
What Is Cryoprotective Media? Freezing Cells With and Without DMSO
Cryoprotective media (also called cell freezing media) is the solution used to freeze cells for long-term storage. Freezing is hard on cells, and the right cryoprotective media is what lets…
What Is HEPES Buffer? Its Role in Cell Culture
HEPES is a buffer added to cell culture media to keep the pH stable, especially when cells spend time outside a CO2 incubator. It is a "good" biological buffer that…
PBS vs DPBS: What’s the Difference?
PBS and DPBS are two of the most common wash and handling solutions in cell culture, and they are often used interchangeably. But they are not identical. This guide explains…
What Is Pen-Strep? Penicillin-Streptomycin in Cell Culture
Penicillin-streptomycin, usually shortened to Pen-Strep, is the most widely used antibiotic combination in cell culture. Researchers add it to media to guard against bacterial contamination during routine work. This guide…
What Is HBSS? Hanks’ Balanced Salt Solution Explained
HBSS (Hanks' Balanced Salt Solution) is a balanced salt solution used to wash cells, transport tissue, and maintain cells at the right pH and osmolarity during handling. Developed by John…
What Is PBS? Phosphate-Buffered Saline Explained
PBS (phosphate-buffered saline) is one of the most common solutions in any cell culture lab. It is a simple, balanced salt solution used to rinse cells, dilute reagents, and keep…
What Is L-15 Medium? Leibovitz’s CO2-Independent Medium Explained
Leibovitz's L-15 Medium is a widely used medium with one defining feature: it holds the correct pH without a CO2 incubator. Developed by Albert Leibovitz, L-15 is buffered in a…
What Is William’s E Medium? A Clear Guide
William's E Medium is a nutrient-rich medium best known as the standard choice for culturing liver cells (hepatocytes). It was developed by Gwendolyn Williams for the long-term culture of adult…
What Is GMEM? Glasgow’s Modified Eagle’s Medium Explained
GMEM (Glasgow's Modified Eagle's Medium) is an enriched basal medium originally developed for baby hamster kidney (BHK-21) cells and widely used in virus and vaccine production. It is a modification…
