Basement Membrane Extracts promote and maintain differentiated phenotypes of cells in culture.
Basement membranes are continuous sheets of specialized extracellular matrix that form an interface between endothelial, epithelial, muscle, or neuronal cells and their adjacent stroma. Cultrex® Basement Membrane Extract (BME) is a soluble basement membrane extract of the Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm (EHS) tumor. All Cultrex Basement Membrane Extracts undergo vigorous sterility testing with no bacteria or fungi detected after incubation at 37° C for 14 days. They are negative for mycoplasma by PCR and the Endotoxin level is XX 20 EU/mL by LAL. These specialized solutions gel within 30 mins at 37° C to form a reconstituted basement membrane on any desired growth surface. Use BME to promote and maintain a differentiated phenotype of cell cultures such as epithelial cells, endothelial cells, glandular cells, neurons, and smooth muscle cells.
BME consists of laminin I, type IV collagen, entactin, and heparan sulfate proteoglycan.
Since Phenol Red has been shown to act as a differentiating factor and may affect some colorimetric or fluorescence-based assays, extracts are available without Phenol Red.
For studies focused on cell growth, BME is subjected to a special process to reduce growth factor content.
PathClear products undergo additional testing and are confirmed negative by PCR for 31 infectious organisms and viruses, including the LDEV virus.
Specifically produced for and qualified in 3-D culture studies.
The Cell Staining solution contains a mixture of Azur A and Methylene Blue, specially formulated to provide optimized staining of cells and structures grown on Basement Matrix Extract.
Fluorescence-based 96-well assays for investigating chemotaxis, cell migration, and cell invasion.