What growth factors are reduced in the Geltrex LDEV-Free Reduced Growth Factor Basement Membrane Matrix (Cat. No. A1413202)?
Although the standard basement membrane extract (BME) contains growth factors such as EGF, IGF‐1, PDGF and TGF‐beta, the reduced growth factor basement membrane extract product (Geltrex matrix) contains below detectable levels of EGF, PDGF and NGF. It still has some TGF‐beta (about 2 ng/mL) and 3 times less IGF‐1 on average than regular BME, hence the designation "reduced". Neither standard nor reduced BME contain NGF or FGF‐2.
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What volume do you recommend for thin coating 35 mm dishes with Geltrex LDEV-Free Reduced Growth Factor Basement Membrane Matrix (Cat. No. A1413201, A1413202) or Geltrex LDEV-Free, hESC-Qualified, Reduced Growth Factor Basement Membrane Matrix (Cat. No. A1413301, A1413302)?
We recommend thin (non-gelling) coating 35 mm dishes with 1.5 mL of Geltrex LDEV-Free Reduced Growth Factor Basement Membrane Matrix (Cat. No. A1413201, A1413202) or Geltrex LDEV-Free, hESC-Qualified, Reduced Growth Factor Basement Membrane Matrix (Cat. No. A1413301, A1413302) prediluted 1/100 in DMEM/F-12 medium (1% final concentration).
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Can I refreeze and reuse Geltrex LDEV-Free Reduced Growth Factor Basement Membrane Matrix after having used it in an experimental setup?
Yes, you can refreeze and reuse Geltrex LDEV-Free Reduced Growth Factor Basement Membrane Matrix. However, you should avoid multiple freeze/thaw cycles. hence, we would recommend the following:
- Thaw Geltrex Matrix in a refrigerator overnight at 2-8 degrees C.
- Mix Geltrex Matrix solution by slowly pipetting up and down. Be careful not to introduce air bubbles.
- If not using up the complete solution, prepare multiple aliquots, either of the original solution or the diluted one, and freeze.
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How do I characterize human embryonic stem ( ES) cells?
Human ES cells are generally characterized by their typical morphology (they grow as tightly packed clusters of small cells with high ratio of nucleus to cytoplasm); surface marker expression; RT-PCR detection of stem cell-specific gene expression (such as Oct3/4, Sox2, and Nanog); alkaline phosphatase staining, and telomerase activity assay. The most commonly used ES specific surface markers include stage-specific embryonic antigens SSEA-3 and SSEA-4 for human ES cells. Other ES-specific surface antigens also include TRA-1-60 and TRA-1-81. (Science 282:1145 (1998).
How are human embryonic stem (ES) cells derived?
Human ES cells are derived from human blastocyst inner cell masses, isolated by immunosurgery with rabbit antiserum to BeWO cells (a human trophoblast cell line) (Science 282:1145 (1998)).