Mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells are pluripotent cells derived from the inner cell mass of the blastocyst. Undifferentiated ES cells can be maintained in-vitro for extended periods without loss of their capacity to differentiate to all cell lineages when reimplanted back into a blastocyst. ES cells may differentiate in-vitro to a variety of cell types including neuronal, muscle, endothelial and hematopoietic progenitors. General culture conditions are well established and usually require ES cells to be grown on an inactive feeder cell layer or on gelatin-coated plates with Leukemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF) in the culture medium.

Mouse ES Basal Medium has been optimized to grow and maintain undifferentiated mouse embryonic stem cells. The medium may be used with the addition of Foetal Bovine Serum (FBS) or with any serum replacement designed for mouse ES cells.

The medium contains L-glutamine in a stable form.