Gibco 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 MEM modifications for a range of cell culture applications. Find the right formulation using the media selector tool.

BenchStable MEM has been engineered for storage at room temperature while supporting cellular proliferation and maximum cell densities comparable to conventional MEM when supplemented with ≥10% fetal bovine serum (FBS).

This MEM is modified as follows:
• Optimized for room temperature stability
• With GlutaMAX, Phenol Red
• Without HEPES

Using BenchStable MEM
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 MEM includes Earle's salts. MEM with GlutaMAX supplement minimizes toxic ammonia build-up and improves cell viability and growth in an easy-to-use format. BenchStable MEM requires supplementation with ≥10% fetal bovine serum (FBS).