Culturing and maintaining human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) with TeSR™ media requires the use of tissue culture plates coated with a matrix to support cell attachment and expansion. Corning® Matrigel® hESC-qualified Matrix (Corning Catalog #354277) is recommended for coating tissue culture plates. The following tips provide recommendations for coating plates with Matrigel®.

Diluting Matrigel®

The diluting instructions for Matrigel® hESC-qualified Matrix are provided in the Product Insert. The dilution factor is calculated for each lot of Matrigel®, based on the protein concentration. Please refer to the lot-specific Certificate of Analysis, which can be requested on the Corning® website.

Ensuring Even Coating

It is important that each tissue culture plate is completely and evenly coated with Matrigel®. Cells will not attach properly where there is insufficient Matrigel® coating. One way to avoid uneven coating is to let the coated plates sit in a biological safety cabinet at room temperature for 1 hour with the lid on (to prevent dehydration). If you are in a rush, plates can be coated for 30 minutes in a 37 °C incubator instead. Make sure that the surface of the safety cabinet or incubator shelf is level (use a bubble level for confirmation) and avoid stacking the plates on top of each other.

Storage of Matrigel® Coated Plates

Coated plates can be stored at 2-8 °C for up to one week (sealed with Parafilm™ to prevent dehydration) before use. Make sure that the fridge shelf is level as well. We do not recommend using plates that have areas of uneven Matrigel® coating or plates where the Matrigel® has evaporated.

For further assistance and information, please contact techsupport@stemcell.com.

Alternatives to Matrigel®

Vitronectin XF™ and CellAdhere™ Laminin-521 are effective alternatives to Corning® Matrigel® for the culture of human pluripotent stem cells in mTeSR™1, mTeSR™ Plus, or TeSR™-E8™.