Glasgow's MEM

Glasgow's Minimum Essential Medium (GMEM) was originally developed by Ian McPherson and Michael Stoker as a modification of Eagle's medium. It was utilized to study the genetic factors which affected cell competence. Glasgow's MEM was developed for use with kidney cells lines, such as BHK-21.

This MEM is modified as follows:

With: L-glutamine, Phenol Red

Without: Tryptose phosphate broth, HEPES

The complete formulation is available.

Glasgow's MEM is unique from other media as it contains twice the concentration of amino acids and vitamins than the original Basal Medium Eagle, and is used without serum. Glasgow's MEM was originally formulated with 10% tryptose phosphate broth.

Glasgow's MEM contains no proteins, lipids, or growth factors. Therefore, Glasgow's MEM requires supplementation, commonly with 10% tryptose phosphate broth. Glasgow's MEM uses a sodium bicarbonate buffer system (2.75 g/L) and therefore requires a 5-10% CO₂ environment to maintain physiological pH.