Human Melanocyte Media, for in vitro culture of pigment producing skin cells.
Human Melanocyte Media
HEM Growth Medium: All-in-one ready-to-use
Type: Growth Medium
Size: 500 ml
Price: $144.00
Description
Human Melanocyte Media are specialized cell culture formulations designed to support the isolation, attachment, proliferation, and functional maintenance of primary human epidermal melanocytes in vitro. Melanocytes are pigment-producing cells located primarily in the basal layer of the epidermis, where they form epidermal melanin units with neighboring keratinocytes. Through dendritic processes, melanocytes synthesize, package, and transfer melanin-containing melanosomes to keratinocytes, establishing skin pigmentation and providing crucial photoprotection against ultraviolet (UV) radiation-induced DNA damage.
Formulated specifically for the demanding growth requirements of primary melanocytes from neonatal or adult skin, these complete media combine an optimized basal formulation with defined growth supplements. Depending on the specific formulation selected, supplement systems supply key mitogenic and survival cues — including insulin, hydrocortisone, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), bovine pituitary extract (BPE), heparin, low-concentration fetal bovine serum (FBS), and phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). Multiple formulation options (including FBS-free, hydrocortisone-free, or PMA-free variations) are available to match specific experimental requirements. These media preserve characteristic dendritic morphology and sustain canonical melanocytic marker expression, including MITF, tyrosinase (TYR), TYRP1, DCT, and PMEL (gp100).
Human Melanocyte Media support a wide range of cell biology workflows, including studies of melanogenesis, UV response, oxidative stress, cellular senescence, and pigmentary disorders such as vitiligo or melasma. The media also enable primary melanocyte expansion for 3D organotypic skin equivalents, keratinocyte co-cultures, and high-throughput compound testing for dermatological, cosmetic, and toxicological screening.
While optimized for normal primary melanocytes, these media can also support selected research on melanoma initiation, transformation, and phenotype switching. However, because transformed melanoma lines frequently harbor altered growth-factor dependencies, media requirements should be empirically validated for specific tumor models. Furthermore, deriving melanocytes from pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs/hESCs) requires specialized lineage-induction protocols incorporating signaling modulators such as Wnt, Stem Cell Factor (SCF), and Endothelin-3 (EDN3) prior to maintenance in growth media.
Human Melanocyte Media provide a standardized, high-performance culture platform for primary human melanocytes. By supporting robust proliferation and maintaining physiological pigmentary functions, these media ensure consistent, reproducible data generation for life science research and translational dermatology studies.
Specialized media, with ingredients and supplements optimized for the unique requirements of Skin Cells, providing optimal culture conditions, cell health, data integrity and reproducibility.
Use with:
Details
CAI media are tested for sterility in order to confirm no bacteria, yeast or fungi contaminate the solutions. The products undergo further quality control for correct pH, osmolality and lack of endotoxins. A panel of different bioassays affirm the media sustain a proper environment for expected cell-type-specific culture, growth, plating, karyotype, physiology, morphology, viability, population doublings, surface markers, cryopreservation, differentiation and/or induction.
Laboratory research use only (RUO). Not for human, clinical, diagnostic or veterinary use.
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