Ham's F-12 Nutrient Mixture (F-12) was designed for serum-free single-cell plating of Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells. F-12 has since been used for serum-free growth of CHO cultures as well as serum-supplemented growth of other mammalian cells, including chondrocytes and rat prostate epithelial cells. We offer a variety of Gibco™ F-12 modifications for a range of cell culture applications. Find the right formulation using the media selector tool.
The complete formulation is available.

Compared to other basal media, F-12 contains a wider variety of components, including zinc, putrescine, hypoxanthine, and thymidine. Serum-free growth of CHO cells in F-12 has led to a variety of improved formulations.

Product Intended Use
For in vitro diagnostic use. CAUTION: Not for human or animal therapeutic use. Uses other than the intended use may be a violation of local law.

cGMP Manufacturing and Quality System
For supply chain continuity, we manufacture Gibco™ F-12 at two separate facilities located in Grand Island, NY and Scotland, UK. Both sites are compliant with cGMP manufacturing requirements, are certified to ISO 13485, and are registered with the FDA as medical device manufacturers.

Gibco™ F-12 contains no proteins or growth factors. Therefore, F-12 requires supplementation, commonly with 10% Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS). F-12 uses a sodium bicarbonate buffer system (1.176 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).

This product is not used for in vitro diagnostic purpose in some countries.