Human Mammary Epithelial Cells (HMEC)

No. HMEC cultures are easily initiated at 2.5 x 10E3 cells per cm² in standard tissue culture plasticware and passaged using a trypsin/EDTA solution.

One vial (500,000 viable cells) can seed eight T-25 flasks at 2,500 viable cells per cm2. A hemocytometer should be used to accurately count cells and to help ensure an appropriate seeding density.

Both media are designed for culture of HMEC. However, in-house studies show HuMEC Ready Medium (Thermo Fisher Scientific Cat. No. 12752-010) outperforms M171/MEGS (Thermo Fisher Scientific Cat. No. M-171-500/S-015-5) in both growth rate and lifespan measurements of HMEC. There is no difference between media when staining for cell-specific markers using indirect ICC.

One passage is equivalent to approximately 4 population doublings when using the recommended subculture conditions.

HMEC usually have population doubling times of 24-30 hr during the guaranteed lifespan.