FluxMPS™ MCDB 131 Medium
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FluxMPS™ MCDB 131 Medium
MCDB 131 is a chemically defined medium originally developed by Knedler and Ham for the growth and maintenance of human microvascular endothelial cells (HMVEC). It has since been found effective for culturing other cell types, including human omental microvascular cells, hepatocytes, myocytes, and smooth muscle cells. FluxMPS™ delivers this formulation through a 0.04 micron quadruple-stage filtration process engineered for microfluidic, Organ-on-Chip (OoC), and Lab-on-Chip (LoC) platforms.
- Two ready-to-use FluxMPS™ configurations: MCDB 131 (with sodium bicarbonate) and MCDB 131 w/o Bicarbonate
- Originally developed for human microvascular endothelial cells (HMVEC); also effective for human omental microvascular cells, hepatocytes, myocytes, and smooth muscle cells
- Standard glucose concentration of 1.0 g/L at 1X
- Formulated with trace elements, putrescine, adenine, thymidine, and higher levels of certain amino acids and vitamins compared to traditional basal media, allowing use with very low levels of serum or defined components
- Both configurations include L-Glutamine, Sodium Pyruvate, and Phenol Red as standard, plus a trace-element supplement; Sodium Bicarbonate is included in the standard configuration and omitted in the w/o Bicarbonate configuration; HEPES is not included as standard in either configuration
- Purified through FluxMPS™ quadruple-stage 0.04 micron filtration for microfluidic and Organ-on-Chip / Tissue-on-Chip / Lab-on-Chip compatibility
- Typically supplemented with growth factors such as EGF, hydrocortisone, glutamine, and low concentrations of FBS (optimal FBS concentration varies by cell type); uses a sodium bicarbonate buffer system requiring a 5-10% CO2 environment
- Available in 500 mL and 1000 mL sizes; stored at 2-8°C away from bright light; fully customizable via support@diagnocine.com
- Concentration1X
- Glucose1.0 g/L
- L-GlutamineIncluded (both)
- Sodium PyruvateIncluded (both)
- Sodium BicarbonateVariant-dependent
- HEPESNot included (either configuration)
- Phenol RedIncluded (both)
- SpecialWith Trace Elements
- Sizes500 mL / 1000 mL
- Storage2-8°C, protect from light
At-a-Glance Supplement Matrix
Check the supplement(s) you require, press Search to confirm which configuration(s) include them, then click straight through to the product page via the catalog-number link or the View button.
| Name | Cat No. | L-Glutamine | Pyruvate | Bicarbonate | Phenol Red | Special | Product Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MCDB 131 | DCP-M1311X | check | check | check | check | With Trace Elements | Viewarrow_forward |
| MCDB 131 w/o Bicarbonate | DCP-M131-B1X | check | check | remove | check | With Trace Elements | Viewarrow_forward |
About MCDB 131 Medium
MCDB media were developed for the culture of specific cell types without a serum supplement. The media were supplemented with growth factors, hormones, trace elements, or low levels of dialyzed fetal bovine serum protein (FBSP), and each MCDB medium was formulated for a specific cell type: MCDB 105 and 110 for rapid clonal growth of normal human diploid cells, MCDB 131 originally for human micro-vascular endothelial cells (HMVEC), and MCDB 151, 201, and 302 originally for human keratinocytes, clonal growth of chick embryo fibroblasts, and CHO cells respectively.
MCDB 131 medium is a specialized cell culture medium originally developed by Knedler and Ham for the growth and maintenance of human microvascular endothelial cells (HMVEC). It has since been found to be effective for culturing other cell types, including human omental microvascular cells, hepatocytes, myocytes, and smooth muscle cells. This medium is formulated with a unique composition that includes trace elements, putrescine, adenine, thymidine, and higher levels of certain amino acids and vitamins compared to traditional basal media.
These additions allow MCDB 131 to be used with very low levels of serum or defined components, making it versatile for various experimental needs. Typically, MCDB 131 is supplemented with growth factors such as EGF, hydrocortisone, glutamine, and low concentrations of fetal bovine serum (FBS), though the optimal FBS concentration may vary depending on the specific cell type being cultured. The medium uses a sodium bicarbonate buffer system and requires a 5-10% CO2 environment to maintain physiological pH, making it suitable for controlled cell culture conditions.
Origins & Development
MCDB media are a family of chemically defined, cell-type-specific basal formulations developed at the Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology (MCDB) at the University of Colorado, Boulder, primarily by Richard G. Ham and Wallace L. McKeehan during the 1970s and 1980s. The department acronym gives the series its name; the department itself was founded in 1968 by pioneering cell biologist Keith Porter, its first chair. Unlike the classical Eagle-lineage media (BME, MEM, DMEM), which were designed as general-purpose basal formulations to be supplemented with serum, each MCDB medium was engineered from the ground up, qualitatively and quantitatively, to support the clonal growth and long-term maintenance of one specific, defined cell type.
The MCDB program was catalyzed by a 1976 discovery: McKeehan, Hamilton, and Ham reported in PNAS that selenium is an essential trace nutrient for clonal growth of WI-38 diploid human fibroblasts at minimal serum-protein concentrations, and that higher serum levels had simply been masking the requirement by supplying selenium as a contaminant. This finding directly stimulated the formal MCDB series, beginning with MCDB 104 in 1977.
MCDB 131 was developed by Knedler and Ham and published in In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology (23(7): 481-491, 1987; PMID 3301790). It was derived from MCDB 402, a Swiss 3T3 medium identified in an initial survey as the best available medium for human microvascular endothelial cell (HMVEC) clonal growth with 10% dialyzed FBS. MCDB 131 was produced by quantitative adjustment of MCDB 402 for HMVEC growth with reduced serum. Its most unusual feature is a high magnesium concentration: Mg2+ was increased from 0.8 mM in MCDB 402 to 10.0 mM in MCDB 131, reported by Knedler and Ham as the single most influential adjustment in this optimization. With EGF and hydrocortisone, MCDB 131 supports clonal growth with as little as 0.7% dialyzed FBS.
In 1979, Ham and McKeehan codified the principles, nomenclature, and nutritional basis of the entire MCDB program in "Media and growth requirements," Chapter 5 of Methods in Enzymology (58: 44-93), which remains a key primary reference for the series.
The MCDB Series Family Tree
Unlike most MCDB media, which derive directly from Ham's F-12, MCDB 131 was derived from MCDB 402, a Swiss 3T3 medium, and represents the series' extension to human microvascular endothelial cells.
| Medium | Year | Primary Developers | Primary Target Cell | Parent Medium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MCDB 104 | 1977 | McKeehan, McKeehan, Hammond, Ham | WI-38 human lung fibroblasts | Ham's F-12 |
| MCDB 105 | ~1978-1980 | Ham, McKeehan | WI-38, MRC-5, IMR-90 fibroblasts | MCDB 104 |
| MCDB 110 | ~1980-1981 | Bettger, Boyce, Walthall, Ham | Human diploid fibroblasts (serum-free) | MCDB 105 |
| MCDB 131 | 1987 | Knedler, Ham | Human microvascular endothelial cells | MCDB 402 |
| MCDB 151 | 1980 | Peehl, Ham | Human epidermal keratinocytes (low-serum) | Ham's F-12 |
| MCDB 152 | 1982 | Tsao, Walthall, Ham | Human keratinocytes (defined) | MCDB 151 |
| MCDB 153 | 1983 | Boyce, Ham | Human epidermal keratinocytes (serum-free) | MCDB 151/152 |
| MCDB 201 | 1977 | McKeehan, Ham | Chick embryo fibroblasts | Ham's F-12 |
| MCDB 301/302 | 1977 | Hamilton, Ham | CHO cells (protein-free) | Ham's F-12 |
| MCDB 120 | 1988 | Ham et al. | Human muscle satellite cells | Ham's F-12 |
Composition
MCDB 131 is formulated with a unique composition that includes trace elements, putrescine, adenine, thymidine, and higher levels of certain amino acids and vitamins compared to traditional basal media, allowing use with very low levels of serum or defined components.
| Standard concentration | 1X |
| Standard glucose concentration | 1.0 g/L (~5.5 mM) |
| L-Glutamine | Included (both configurations); listed separately, not in the base formulation |
| Sodium Pyruvate | Included (both configurations); 110.0 mg/L |
| Sodium Bicarbonate | Included in MCDB 131 (DCP-M1311X) at 1.176 g/L, requiring 5-10% CO2; omitted in MCDB 131 w/o Bicarbonate (DCP-M131-B1X) |
| HEPES | Not included in either standard configuration; MCDB 131 uses bicarbonate buffering only |
| Phenol Red | Included (both configurations) |
| Special | With Trace Elements (both configurations) |
| Calcium | 235.2 mg/L |
| Magnesium | MgSO4 (anhydrous), 1204.0 mg/L (~10 mM) — the defining feature of this formulation |
| Selenium (as sodium selenite) | 0.0038 mg/L |
| Iron source | FeSO4.7H2O, 0.283 mg/L |
| Folinic acid | Yes (calcium salt) |
| Adenine | 0.135 mg/L |
| Biotin | 0.0073 mg/L |
| Vitamin B12 | 0.0136 mg/L |
| Phosphate source | Na2HPO4 |
| Amino acid count | 19 (proteinogenic profile) |
| Trace-element panel | Multi-element (vanadium, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, selenium, silicon, zinc) |
| Putrescine | Present |
| Thymidine | Present |
| Serum requirement | 0.7-2% dialyzed FBS, or defined supplementation with EGF and hydrocortisone |
| pH (with NaHCO3) | ~7.4 |
| Osmolality | 280 ± 20 mOsm/kg |
| Sizes | 500 mL, 1000 mL |
| Storage | 2-8°C, away from bright light |
Media Lineage Comparison
How MCDB 131 compares to two other F-12-derived MCDB-series media, and how the series as a whole differs from classical Eagle-lineage basal media.
| Feature | MCDB 105 | MCDB 153 | MCDB 131 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary developer & year | McKeehan, Ham (~1978-1980) | Boyce & Ham (1983) | Knedler & Ham (1987) |
| Target cell type | Human diploid fibroblasts | Human epidermal keratinocytes | Human microvascular endothelial cells (HMVEC) |
| Parent formulation | MCDB 104 → Ham's F-12 | MCDB 151/152 → Ham's F-12 | MCDB 402 → Ham's F-12 |
| Glucose | 720.64 mg/L (~4.0 mM) | 1081.0 mg/L (~6.0 mM) | 1000 mg/L (~5.5 mM) |
| Calcium (CaCl2.2H2O) | 147.0 mg/L | 4.411 mg/L (very low) | 235.2 mg/L |
| Magnesium | MgSO4 120.38 mg/L (~1 mM) | MgCl2.6H2O 122.0 mg/L | MgSO4 1204.0 mg/L (10 mM) — defining feature |
| Selenium (Na2SeO3) | 0.0052 mg/L | 0.0038 mg/L | 0.0038 mg/L |
| Iron source | FeSO4.7H2O 1.390 mg/L | FeSO4.7H2O 1.390 mg/L | FeSO4.7H2O 0.283 mg/L |
| Glutamine | 365.3 mg/L | 877.2 mg/L | Listed separately; not in base |
| Folinic acid | Yes (calcium salt) | No (folic acid 0.790 mg/L) | Yes (calcium salt) |
| Biotin | 0.007339 mg/L | 0.0146 mg/L | 0.0073 mg/L |
| Vitamin B12 | 0.136 mg/L | 0.407 mg/L | 0.0136 mg/L |
| Adenine | 1.720 mg/L | 30.880 mg/L | 0.135 mg/L |
| Phosphate source | KH2PO4 (408.27 mg/L) | Na2HPO4 (284.088 mg/L) | Na2HPO4 |
| HEPES | 5958 mg/L (25 mM) | 6600 mg/L (28 mM) | No HEPES; bicarbonate only |
| Sodium bicarbonate | Without (HEPES-buffered) | Without (add 1.176 g/L for CO2 system) | 1.176 g/L (requires 5-10% CO2) |
| Sodium pyruvate | 110.0 mg/L | 55.0 mg/L | 110.0 mg/L |
| Serum requirement | Low-serum (dFBS ~25 µg/mL) or serum-free with supplements | Serum-free with EGF, insulin, hydrocortisone, BPE | 0.7% dFBS + EGF + hydrocortisone |
| pH | ~4.6-5.2 (unadjusted powder, no bicarbonate) | 6.40-7.00 (with NaHCO3) | ~7.4 |
| Osmolality | 240-280 mOsm/kg (without NaHCO3) | 320-360 mOsm/kg (with NaHCO3) | 280 ± 20 mOsm/kg |
Distinguishing Features Documented Across the MCDB Series
- High magnesium concentration is MCDB 131's defining feature. MgSO4 at 1204 mg/L (~10 mM Mg2+) versus 0.8 mM in its parent MCDB 402 and approximately 0.4 mM in DMEM — Knedler and Ham reported this as the single most influential adjustment in the MCDB 402-to-MCDB 131 optimization
- Comprehensive trace-element panel covering vanadium, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, selenium, and silicon — elements absent from DMEM, MEM, BME, and RPMI 1640
- Folinic acid (leucovorin) used in place of folic acid in MCDB 131 and MCDB 105, bypassing the dihydrofolate reductase activation step; MCDB 153 uses folic acid instead
- Adenine and thymidine inclusion, both present in MCDB 131 as in the rest of the characterized MCDB series, absent from classical Eagle media (DMEM, MEM)
- Putrescine, a polyamine growth factor and precursor to spermidine and spermine, present in MCDB 131 and absent from DMEM, MEM, BME, RPMI 1640, and IMDM
- Bicarbonate buffering rather than HEPES. Unlike MCDB 105 and MCDB 153, which are HEPES-buffered, MCDB 131 uses bicarbonate buffering (1.176 g/L) and requires a 5-10% CO2 environment
MCDB Composition vs. Classical Media: Key Distinctions
| Feature | DMEM (high-glucose) | MEM | MCDB 105 | MCDB 153 | MCDB 131 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amino acids | 15 (no Asn, Asp, Glu, Pro, Ala) | 13 | 20 (all proteinogenic) | 20 | 19 |
| Selenium | Absent | Absent | 0.0052 mg/L | 0.0038 mg/L | 0.0038 mg/L |
| Folinic acid | Absent | Absent | Present | Absent (folic acid) | Present |
| Adenine | Absent | Absent | 1.72 mg/L | 30.88 mg/L | 0.135 mg/L |
| Thymidine | Absent | Absent | 0.0727 mg/L | 0.727 mg/L | Present |
| Putrescine | Absent | Absent | Present | 0.161 mg/L | Present |
| Multi-trace elements | Absent (Fe(NO3)3 only) | Absent | Multi-element | Multi-element | Multi-element |
| HEPES | Absent | Absent | 25 mM | 28 mM | Absent |
| Glucose | 4500 mg/L | 1000 mg/L | 720.64 mg/L (~4 mM) | 1081 mg/L (~6 mM) | 1000 mg/L |
| Calcium | 265 mg/L | 200 mg/L | 147 mg/L | 4.411 mg/L | 235.2 mg/L |
| Magnesium | ~97 mg/L (MgSO4) | 97.7 mg/L | 120.38 mg/L | 122 mg/L | 1204 mg/L (10 mM) |
| Vitamin B12 | Absent | Absent | 0.136 mg/L | 0.407 mg/L | 0.0136 mg/L |
| Biotin | Absent | Absent | 0.0073 mg/L | 0.0146 mg/L | 0.0073 mg/L |
| Serum requirement | 10% FBS typical | 5-10% FBS | Low-serum or serum-free | Serum-free with supplements | 0.7-2% dFBS or defined |
Why FluxMPS™
Quadruple-Stage 0.04 Micron Filtration
Purified finer than any ready-to-use cell culture media currently available, removing particulates and protein aggregates before they reach the chip.
Engineered for Microfluidic Flow
Formulated for Organ-on-Chip (OoC), Tissue-on-Chip (ToC), and Lab-on-Chip (LoC) platforms, where the medium is itself part of the instrument.
Optical Clarity
Supports real-time imaging and integrated biosensing across long-duration culture and perfusion studies.
Microvascular Endothelial Heritage
Rooted in the formulation optimized specifically for human microvascular endothelial cell clonal growth with reduced serum.
Fully Customizable
Standard 1X concentration and 1.0 g/L glucose can be adjusted, along with chemical additions, proteins, supplements, and pH, on request.
Regulatory-Aligned Foundation
Formulated to support FDA-recognized physiological modeling standards for drug discovery, toxicology screening, and translational research.
Quadruple-Stage Filtration
Every FluxMPS™ formulation, including MCDB 131 Medium, passes through a four-stage filtration architecture before reaching your platform.
-
1
0.1µmPre-filtration Stage One
Removes larger particulates and aggregates from the formulated medium.
-
2
0.1µmPre-filtration Stage Two
A second 0.1 micron pass further reduces particulate and aggregate load ahead of sterile filtration.
-
3
0.04µmSterile Filtration Stage One
Fine sterile filtration engineered for microfluidic channel compatibility.
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4
0.04µmSterile Filtration Stage Two
A second 0.04 micron pass for the optical clarity and particulate control that OoC/ToC/LoC platforms require.
Filtration Performance
Validated Cell Lines & Applications
Human Microvascular Endothelial Cells (HMVEC)
MCDB 131's primary application: clonal growth with as little as 0.7% dialyzed FBS plus EGF and hydrocortisone.
Human Omental Microvascular Cells, HUVEC & HSVEC
Reported proliferation increase of approximately 2.3-fold versus Medium 199.
Hepatocytes, Smooth Muscle Cells & Cardiac Myocytes
Additional validated cell types supported by MCDB 131.
Pluripotent Stem Cell Differentiation
A major modern application: human pluripotent stem cell definitive endoderm and pancreatic beta-cell differentiation.
Mesenchymal Stem Cell Differentiation
Used as a basal medium component in mesenchymal stem cell differentiation protocols.
Broader MCDB / F-12 Lineage Applications
Part of the MCDB series, which also supports fibroblasts, keratinocytes, and CHO cells in related family members.
Scientific Applications
Reduced-Serum Endothelial Clonal Growth
MCDB 131 supports HMVEC clonal growth with as little as 0.7% dialyzed FBS when supplemented with EGF and hydrocortisone.
Pancreatic Beta-Cell & Endoderm Differentiation
MCDB 131 has acquired a major second application in human pluripotent stem cell differentiation: multiple protocols for definitive endoderm, pancreatic progenitors, and insulin-producing beta cells from hESCs and hiPSCs use it as the base medium through critical stages.
Bicarbonate-Buffered Physiological Culture
The standard MCDB 131 configuration includes sodium bicarbonate for CO2-buffered culture; the w/o Bicarbonate configuration is available for alternative buffering workflows.
Custom Formulation Studies
Standard glucose, concentration, and supplement levels can be customized, with additions of chemicals, compounds, proteins, or a different pH available on request.
Frequently Asked Questions
Verified References
- McKeehan, W.L., McKeehan, K.A., Hammond, S.L. & Ham, R.G. (1977). Improved medium for clonal growth of human diploid fibroblasts at low concentrations of serum protein. In Vitro, 13(7): 399-416. PMID 301851. DOI 10.1007/BF02615100.
- McKeehan, W.L., Hamilton, W.G. & Ham, R.G. (1976). Selenium is an essential trace nutrient for the growth of WI-38 diploid human fibroblasts. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 73(6): 2023-2027. DOI 10.1073/pnas.73.6.2023.
- Hamilton, W.G. & Ham, R.G. (1977). Clonal growth of Chinese hamster cell lines in protein-free media. In Vitro, 13(9): 537-547.
- McKeehan, W.L. & Ham, R.G. (1977). [MCDB 201 reference] Dev. Biol. Stand., 37: 97-98.
- Ham, R.G. & McKeehan, W.L. (1979). Media and growth requirements. Methods in Enzymology, 58: 44-93.
- Peehl, D.M. & Ham, R.G. (1980). Clonal growth of human keratinocytes with small amounts of dialyzed serum. In Vitro, 16(6): 526-540. PMID 6156122. DOI 10.1007/BF02626466.
- Bettger, W.J., Boyce, S.T., Walthall, B.J. & Ham, R.G. (1981). Rapid clonal growth and serial passage of human diploid fibroblasts in a lipid-enriched synthetic medium supplemented with EGF, insulin, and dexamethasone. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 78(9): 5588-5592. PMID 7029539. DOI 10.1073/pnas.78.9.5588.
- Tsao, M.C., Walthall, B.J. & Ham, R.G. (1982). Clonal growth of normal human epidermal keratinocytes in a defined medium. J. Cell Physiol., 110(2): 219-229. PMID 7040427. DOI 10.1002/jcp.1041100217.
- Boyce, S.T. & Ham, R.G. (1983). Calcium-regulated differentiation of normal human epidermal keratinocytes in chemically defined clonal culture and serum-free serial culture. J. Invest. Dermatol., 81(1 Suppl): 33s-40s. PMID 6345690. DOI 10.1111/1523-1747.ep12540422.
- Knedler, A. & Ham, R.G. (1987). Optimized medium for clonal growth of human microvascular endothelial cells with minimal serum. In Vitro Cell. Dev. Biol., 23(7): 481-491. PMID 3301790. DOI 10.1007/BF02628418.
- Ham, R.G. et al. (1988). Improved media for normal human muscle satellite cells. In Vitro Cell. Dev. Biol., 24(8): 833-844. PMID 3045074. (MCDB 120.)
- McKeehan, W.L. & Ham, R.G. (1976). Stimulation of clonal growth of normal fibroblasts with substrata coated with basic polymers. J. Cell Biol., 71: 727-734.
FluxMPS™ — Precision Cell Culture Media for Microphysiological Systems
Built for the architecture of the future. Not the flask of the past.
Traditional cell culture media were formulated for static well plates and flasks — environments that tolerate impurities, precipitates, and particle loads that would immediately compromise a microfluidic system. FluxMPS™ was designed from the ground up for Organ-on-Chip (OoC), Tissue-on-Chip (ToC), and Lab-on-Chip (LoC) platforms, where the medium itself is part of the instrument.
Purity That Protects Your Platform
FluxMPS™ is purified to 0.04 microns — finer than any ready-to-use cell culture media currently available. At this level, the microscopic particulates and protein aggregates that silently block micro-channels, disrupt laminar flow, and generate false biological signals are eliminated before the media ever reaches your chip.
The result: your platform stays operational, your data stays clean, and your biology drives the result — not your media.
Engineered for Flow, Not Just Growth
The name FluxMPS™ reflects its core design principle. Every component is optimized for consistent, laminar flow performance across:
- Complex micro-channel geometries
- Capillary-bed and vascular simulations
- Long-term automated perfusion studies running continuously for weeks
Zero-clogging performance is not a feature — it is the baseline specification.
Applications & Performance
| Application | What FluxMPS™ Delivers |
|---|---|
| Microfluidics | Stable shear stress; no channel blockage |
| Metabolic Tracing | Ultra-pure matrix with no contaminant interference |
| Long-term Perfusion | Consistent formulation stability over weeks of continuous flow |
| Organ-on-Chip | Optical clarity for real-time imaging and integrated biosensing |
Regulatory Foundation
FluxMPS™ is formulated to support FDA-recognized physiological modeling standards, providing a validated, reproducible media foundation for drug discovery, toxicology screening, and translational research. When your downstream data needs to stand up to regulatory scrutiny, your upstream media cannot be an afterthought.
The Bottom Line
Microfluidic platforms are precision instruments. They require precision inputs.
FluxMPS™ is the only ready-to-use cell culture medium engineered specifically to meet that standard — protecting your chip, your cells, and your science.
