XR Phenol Red-Free Matrigel

Description

Color interference, undefined growth factor activity, and inconsistent gel formation can complicate organoid and three-dimensional cell culture workflows. These variables may make it more difficult to distinguish experimental responses from signals introduced by the extracellular matrix itself, particularly in fluorescence-based assays and studies that require controlled growth factor supplementation.

XR Low Growth Factor Phenol Red-Free Matrigel, XRMat-0-10, is a natural basement membrane matrix extracted from mouse tumor tissue rich in extracellular matrix proteins. The formulation provides a laminin-rich three-dimensional matrix containing collagen IV, entactin and heparan sulfate proteoglycans, creating a basement membrane-like environment for cell embedding, matrix coating and organoid culture research.

This phenol red-free basement membrane matrix is formulated to reduce visible color interference while limiting background signals associated with endogenous growth factors. The product is supplied in high-glucose, phenol red-free DMEM and has a protein concentration of 8–12 mg/mL. At 4°C, the thawed matrix remains liquid for handling and dispensing; after warming, it forms a stable extracellular matrix hydrogel, with gelation occurring more rapidly at 37°C.

XRMat-0-10 is intended for research workflows requiring a low growth factor Matrigel-type matrix, including organoid culture, 3D cell culture, fluorescence-compatible culture systems and studies in which researchers need greater control over externally added growth factors.

Specifications

Matrix Composition

XRMat-0-10 is a naturally derived basement membrane extract containing extracellular matrix proteins and associated biological components. Its principal structural components include:

• Laminin, a major basement membrane glycoprotein involved in cell adhesion and matrix organization

• Collagen IV, a structural collagen that contributes to the basement membrane network

• Entactin, also known as nidogen, which connects laminin and collagen IV networks

• Heparan sulfate proteoglycans, which contribute to extracellular matrix structure and molecular interactions

As a natural tumor-derived extracellular matrix, the product may also contain residual endogenous factors, including IGF-1, TGF-β, VEGF, EGF and bFGF. The low growth factor formulation is designed to reduce, rather than completely eliminate, growth factor-associated background activity.

Features

• Low growth factor basement membrane matrix for experiments requiring reduced endogenous signaling background

• Phenol red-free formulation helps minimize visible color and fluorescence interference

• Contains key basement membrane proteins, including laminin, collagen IV, entactin and heparan sulfate proteoglycans

• Protein concentration controlled within an 8–12 mg/mL range

• Remains liquid when properly thawed and handled at 4°C

• Temperature-responsive gelation supports convenient cold handling and rapid matrix formation after warming

• Suitable for organoid embedding and three-dimensional extracellular matrix culture workflows

• Supplied in high-glucose, phenol red-free DMEM

• Each batch is evaluated in an organoid culture test

• Tested for mycoplasma, bacterial and fungal contamination

• Broad PCR-based pathogen testing includes LDEV

Quality Control

Gelation and Stability

XRMat-0-10 is temperature-sensitive. The thawed material remains liquid at 4°C and begins to form a basement membrane hydrogel as the temperature increases. At room temperature, gelation generally occurs within approximately 5–30 minutes, while incubation at 37°C accelerates gel formation.

Evaluated Dilution Condition

When the matrix was diluted with culture medium at a 1:2 ratio and incubated at 37°C for 30 minutes, it formed a gel. After culture medium was added, the matrix retained its gel structure for five days under the evaluated 37°C condition.

Evaluated 70% Matrix Condition

When diluted to a final matrix content of 70%, dispensed at 50 μL in a cell culture plate and incubated at 37°C for 30 minutes, the product formed a stable gel. After culture medium was added, the gel structure was maintained for up to 15 days under the evaluated 37°C culture condition.

Applications

XR Low Growth Factor Phenol Red-Free Matrigel is designed for research applications that require a laminin-rich extracellular matrix while minimizing phenol red-related color interference and reducing the contribution of endogenous growth factors. It can be incorporated into matrix coating, cell embedding and three-dimensional culture workflows according to laboratory-specific protocols.

Organoid Culture and Expansion

This organoid culture matrix provides a three-dimensional basement membrane-like environment for embedding organoids and supporting spatial tissue organization. Each production batch is evaluated in an organoid culture test, making XRMat-0-10 suitable for laboratories developing or maintaining organoid workflows.

• Human or animal organoid culture research

• Organoid establishment and three-dimensional expansion

• Embedding organoids within a basement membrane hydrogel

• Long-term organoid culture workflows requiring a stable matrix structure

• Organoid morphology and imaging studies

3D Cell Culture

The matrix can be used as a three-dimensional cell culture scaffold where cells require extracellular matrix proteins such as laminin and collagen IV. Its temperature-dependent gelation allows the product to be handled as a cold liquid and converted into a semi-solid matrix after incubation.

• Three-dimensional cell embedding

• Basement membrane matrix coating

• Cell–matrix interaction studies

• Extracellular matrix-dependent cell morphology research

• Culture models requiring a laminin-rich ECM matrix

Growth Factor-Controlled Research

Endogenous growth factors present in natural basement membrane extracts may complicate experiments that evaluate defined signaling conditions. The reduced growth factor formulation helps researchers limit this background contribution when studying the effects of separately added growth factors, inhibitors or other experimental treatments.

• Studies involving controlled addition of exogenous growth factors

• Cell signaling research requiring reduced matrix-derived background

• Comparative culture studies using defined treatment conditions

• Experimental workflows sensitive to endogenous matrix-associated factors

Fluorescence-Compatible Culture Workflows

Phenol red may contribute visible color and background interference in some imaging and optical detection workflows. The phenol red-free formulation is appropriate for laboratories seeking a basement membrane matrix with reduced color interference.

• Fluorescence microscopy of matrix-embedded cells or organoids

• Live-cell imaging research

• Confocal imaging of three-dimensional cultures

• Image-based analysis where phenol red is undesirable

Cancer and Tumor Model Research

XRMat-0-10 may be used as an extracellular matrix scaffold in research models involving tumor-derived cells or organoids when a low growth factor, phenol red-free matrix is preferred. Researchers should optimize matrix concentration and culture conditions for the specific model.

• Tumor organoid culture research

• Three-dimensional cancer cell culture

• Patient-derived organoid research workflows

• Drug-response studies using matrix-embedded organoids

Recommended Handling

• Store the unopened product at or below −20°C.

• Thaw the matrix under refrigerated conditions at approximately 4°C.

• Keep the product, pipette tips, tubes and culture vessels cold during preparation to reduce premature gelation.

• Mix gently while cold. Avoid vigorous agitation that may introduce bubbles.

• Dispense the required volume while the matrix remains liquid.

• Incubate at the temperature and duration established for the specific culture protocol.

• Because the matrix is biologically derived, optimize concentration and handling conditions for each cell line or organoid model.

Why Choose a Low Growth Factor Phenol Red-Free Matrix?

A standard basement membrane extract can provide a supportive extracellular environment, but its native growth factors and color components may introduce variables into sensitive experiments. These effects are particularly relevant when investigators are adding defined signaling molecules, quantifying fluorescence or comparing treatment-dependent responses.

XRMat-0-10 combines a low growth factor formulation with a phenol red-free diluent to address these practical laboratory concerns. The matrix retains the key structural proteins expected from a natural basement membrane extract while providing a more suitable format for growth factor-sensitive studies, organoid imaging and three-dimensional cell culture workflows.

FAQ

For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.