Merck Cell Culture Supplements & Reagents: Complete Solutions for Research & Bioproduction

Unlock the full potential of your cell culture workflow with Merck’s comprehensive portfolio of cell culture supplements and reagents. Designed to meet the highest standards of consistency and reliability, these products help you achieve optimal results whether you are conducting fundamental research, scaling up for bioproduction, or developing new cell-based assays.

Merck’s solutions support a wide range of applications, providing researchers and manufacturers with defined, high-performance tools for every stage of the cell culture process.

Research & Production Applications: Serum-Free, ITS & Hybri‑Max

Merck’s cell culture supplements and reagents empower you to address the unique requirements of your cell line and application. Whether you are working with adherent cells, suspension cultures, stem cells, hybridomas, or primary neurons, Merck’s solutions support advanced cell biology, protein and antibody production, and specialized cell engineering.

Key Application Scenarios:

• Basic Cell Culture: Achieve robust cell growth and viability with nutrient-rich supplements tailored for classic and modern cell lines.
• Serum-Free & Chemically Defined Workflows: Transition away from animal-derived components using proven serum-free supplements like ITS (Insulin-Transferrin-Selenium) Premix (SKU: I3146) and animal origin-free formulations, improving reproducibility and regulatory compliance.
• Hybridoma & Antibody Production: Optimize monoclonal antibody yields with Hybri‑Max™ Supplement (SKU: H7777), designed specifically for hybridoma cultures.
• Stem Cell & Neural Applications: Enhance expansion and differentiation of stem and neural cells with specialized supplements such as N21 Medium Supplement (SKU: SCM081).
• Protein Production & CHO Systems: Boost protein expression in CHO and other production cell lines with optimized amino acid mixtures and serum alternatives.

By incorporating contamination control reagents, serum-free media, and precisely defined supplements, you can minimize experimental variability and confidently scale from research to industrial production.

Product Categories: Amino Acids, Antibiotics, Cryopreservation, Dissociation

To streamline your selection process, Merck organizes its cell culture supplement portfolio into clear categories, supporting both general and specialized applications:

Nutrient & Supplement Solutions

• Amino Acid Supplements: L‑Glutamine Solution (SKU: G7513), MEM Non-Essential Amino Acids Solution (SKU: M7145), and custom blends for tailored support.
• Vitamins & Trace Elements: Thiamine (SKU: T4625), ascorbic acid, and complete vitamin mixes for enhanced metabolic support.
• ITS Supplements: ITS Liquid Media Supplement (SKU: I3146), animal-origin-free, chemically defined, supporting serum-free cell culture.

Serum-Free & Specialized Supplements

• Serum-Free Kits: ITS-G Supplement (SKU: I5156), N21 Medium Supplement (SKU: SCM081) for neural cultures.
• Hybridoma Supplements: Hybri‑Max™ Supplement (SKU: H7777) for efficient antibody production.

Antibiotics & Antifungal Agents

• Penicillin-Streptomycin Solution (SKU: P4333): Classic broad-spectrum protection.
• Gentamicin Solution (SKU: G1272): Effective for controlling bacterial contamination.

Cryopreservation & Cell Freezing

• DMSO Cryopreservation Media: DMSO (SKU: D2650) and ready-to-use CryoStor® CS10 (SKU: C2874), providing optimal viability during cell freezing and recovery.

Cell Dissociation Reagents

• Trypsin-EDTA Solution (SKU: T4049): Standard enzyme solution for passaging adherent cells.
• Accutase® (SKU: A6964): Gentle, non-mammalian enzyme mix for stem cells and sensitive cultures.

You can filter products by functional need or cell type to find the best solution for your workflow.

Highlighted Products: ITS, Hybri‑Max, DMSO Freezing Media

To help you quickly identify best-in-class products, here are several of Merck’s most widely used cell culture supplements and reagents:

ITS Liquid Media Supplement (SKU: I3146)
A serum-free, animal origin-free supplement supporting the growth and maintenance of a broad array of cell types. Ideal for serum reduction protocols and defined culture systems.

Hybri‑Max™ Supplement (SKU: H7777)
Specifically designed for hybridoma cell lines, this supplement supports monoclonal antibody production and is validated for use with a wide range of hybridoma clones.

DMSO, ≥99.9% (SKU: D2650)
A high-purity solvent and cryoprotectant widely used for cell freezing protocols to ensure high post-thaw cell viability.

Penicillin-Streptomycin Solution (SKU: P4333)
The gold standard for protecting cultures against bacterial contamination in both research and production environments.

Trypsin-EDTA Solution (SKU: T4049)
Enables gentle and efficient dissociation of adherent cells, supporting routine passaging and single-cell preparation.

For the full product list, you can refer to Iright's Merck Catalog or contact Iright via email for guidance.

Selection & Procurement Guide (FAQ)

Q: How do I choose the right supplement or reagent for my cell culture?

A: Consider your cell type, application, and regulatory requirements. For serum-free workflows, select chemically defined supplements such as ITS. For hybridoma or antibody production, Hybri‑Max™ is recommended. Always cross-reference with your protocol and consult product datasheets.

Q: Can I transition my cell line from serum-containing to serum-free media?

A: Yes, gradual adaptation using supplements like ITS or ITS-G is standard practice. Review Merck protocols and adjust supplement concentrations as needed for optimal cell health.

Q: Are these products animal origin-free?

A: Many supplements, such as the ITS series, are available in animal origin-free formats. Always check the product description and certificate of analysis (COA) for confirmation.