Technical Library

Recent Entries in Technical Library

• I am interested in purchasing PromoCell Human Mononuclear Cells (C-12907). Could you please let me know whether you have tested them for platelet contamination? If yes, which markers / procedure have you tried?

  During the isolation of our Human Mononuclear Cells (hMNC), we first of all pay attention to thoroughly discard the platelet-containing fraction before we aspirate the MNC containing-interphase of the Ficoll gradient. The harvested MNC fraction is then subjected to several washing steps to remove potential remaining platelets. Finally, the cell preparations are verified by microscopy to be largely free of platelet contamination.

  Related Links and Documents

  • hMNC-PB
• From which organism originate the recombinant cytokines in Cytokine Mix E (C-39890)?

  All cytokines in Cytokine Mix E (human TPO, SCF, flt-3 ligand, and IL-3) are produced in E.coli. They are purified by chromatography, are free of endotoxins, and are tested for their biological activity.

  Related Links and Documents

  • Cytokine Mix E
• How many vials of MNC-PB can PromoCell typically provide from one lot/one donor?

  There is a strong variation from donor to donor and sometimes from donation to donation concerning the number of vials that can be produced. This is due to individual variances between the donors as some of them have more MNCs per ml of blood and others have less.
  Generally, the number of vials (each with 25 x 10⁶ cryopreserved cells) per lot ranges between 10 and 40.

  Related Links and Documents

  • hMNC-PB
• What chondrocyte structures are stained using Alcian Blue? Can I use this staining method for chondrocytes in monolayer cultures?

  Alcian Blue stains the extracellular matrix of chondrocytes, e.g. cartilage-specific aggrecan and other glycosaminoglycans. To our knowledge, chondrocytes only express aggrecans when grown in 3-D culture and not in 2-D culture.
  To detect cartilage specific markers in monolayer culture, it is recommended to perform immunofluorescence detection of collagen type II.

  Related Links and Documents

  • HCH
• From what muscles does PromoCell isolate the SkMC?

  Our skeletal muscle cells are mainly isolated from M. pectoralis, sometimes also from M. intercostales or M. gluteus maximus. The exact localization is specified in the Certificate of Analysis.

  Related Links and Documents

  • SkMC
• What is the concentration of ECGS contained in Endothelial Cell Growth Media/Preadipocyte Growth Media?

  At manufacture, ECGS is adjusted to a protein content of 3 mg/ml. For Human Endothelial Cells and Microvascular Endothelial Cells the optimal concentration of ECGS is 2 ml/500 ml medium, corresponding to 6 mg extracted protein/500 ml medium. ECGS/H is additionally supplemented with 22.5 mg/ml heparin, corresponding to a final concentration of 45 mg heparin/500 ml medium.

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  • ECGS
• Should I store the cryopreserved cells in the liquid phase or gas phase of liquid nitrogen?

  In principle, both types of liquid nitrogen storage are acceptable, each having its advantages and disadvantages.

  • Liquid phase storage provides a consistent temperature of -196°C, a longer holding time and a greater vial capacity but involves the risk of contamination issues.
  • Storage in the gas phase is very safe with respect to contaminations but the holding time of the cells is shorter and the vial capacity is reduced.
• Will RNAlater solution denature the proteins in the cell pellets?

  Yes, RNAlater Solution will denature proteins. Therefore, protein obtained from PromoCell cell pellets will be suitable for applications such as Western blotting or 2D gel electrophoresis, but not for applications that require native protein.

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  • Cell pellets
• When should I order the Growth Medium Kit instead of the Medium “ready-to-use”?

  The Growth Medium Kit allows customization of the end concentrations of growth supplements. It is therefore more flexible than the Medium “ready-to-use” and can eg. be used to prepare a starvation medium.
  Please note: Modification of supplement concentrations may have an impact on cell growth. You should test in advance whether and for how long the cells can survive the altered culture conditions.

  Related Links and Documents

  • PromoCell Growth Medium Info Sheet
• Can PromoCell normal human cells be grown in standard media like DMEM or RPMI1640 supplemented with 10% FBS?

  PromoCell Growth Media have special formulations and are much more complex than DMEM or RPMI + FBS. In comparison to immortalized cell lines, primary cells have much higher nutrient and growth factor requirements. Classical media do not usually achieve good performances with our cells.