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M7027

Sigma-Aldrich

Methyl cellulose

viscosity: 15 cP, BioReagent, suitable for cell culture

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About This Item

CAS Number:
9004-67-5
MDL number:
MFCD00081763
UNSPSC Code:
12352201
PubChem Substance ID:
24897135
NACRES:
NA.75

biological source

synthetic (organic)

Quality Level

200

product line

BioReagent

form

powder

technique(s)

cell culture | mammalian: suitable

viscosity

12-18 cP, 2 % in H2O(20 °C)

solubility

water: 50 mg/mL, clear to hazy

SMILES string

[*]OC[C@H]1O[C@@H](O[C@@H]2[C@@H](CO[*])O[C@@H](O[*])[C@H](O[*])[C@H]2O[*])[C@H](O[*])[C@@H](O[*])[C@@H]1O[*]

InChI key

YLGXILFCIXHCMC-JHGZEJCSSA-N

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General description

Methyl cellulose is obtained by etherification of cellulose. This commercial cellulose ether exhibits amphiphilic properties and original physicochemical properties. Methyl cellulose is enzyme resistant, non-digestible, non-allergic, and non-toxic.

Application

Methyl cellulose has been used:
  • as a vehicle for metformin drug during oral gavage
  • as a component of mammary epithelial cell growth medium for mammosphere culture
  • as a supplement in spheroid 3D co-cultures for spheroid invasion assays using hanging drop protocol

Methyl cellulose is used to create semi-solid matrices, as a cell culture gel, for culture of colony forming cells such as CFU-G; CFU-GM; cells and other cells used in toxicity assays. Low viscosity, not for plaquing assays or cloning.

Biochem/physiol Actions

Methyl cellulose finds applications in various industries such as in the food industry it is used as an emulsifier, texturing agent, thickener, and gelling additive. Methyl cellulose is also used in various cosmetics and personal care products such as hair shampoos, hair styling products, liquid soaps, body washes, lotions and creams, and toothpaste to yield their characteristic thick consistency. In addition, it serves as an additive for pharmaceuticals and is used in the production of capsules for nutritional supplements. Methyl cellulose is used as an alternative to glycerol in a cryopreservation medium. It is used along with culture supplements to enhance proliferation and differentiation in multiple or single lineage-committed hematopoietic progenitor cells. This cellulose derivative also has the potential to prevent the loss of adhesive properties and cell functions of various cell types including human skin fibroblasts, human melanoma cells, and mouse lung fibroblasts cultured in suspension.

WGK

WGK 1

Flash Point(F)

Not applicable

Flash Point(C)

Not applicable

Personal Protective Equipment

dust mask type N95 (US), Eyeshields, Gloves

Certificates of Analysis (COA)

Search for Certificates of Analysis (COA) by entering the products Lot/Batch Number. Lot and Batch Numbers can be found on a product’s label following the words ‘Lot’ or ‘Batch’.

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  1. Which document(s) contains shelf-life or expiration date information for a given product?

    If available for a given product, the recommended re-test date or the expiration date can be found on the Certificate of Analysis.

  2. How do I get lot-specific information or a Certificate of Analysis?

    The lot specific COA document can be found by entering the lot number above under the "Documents" section.

  3. How can I make a solution of Methyl cellulose, Product M7027?

    There are two methods for solubilizing methylcellulose. Please see the product insert for Product No. M0387 for the protocols.

  4. Can I use this Methyl cellulose, Product M7027, for cloning or plaque assays?

    Probably not. Product No. M7027 has a very low viscosity (viscosity 15 cP, 2% solution in water) and is used for thickening culture media.  Product No. M0387 (viscosity 1,500 cP, 2% solution in water) is recommended for plaque assays, and Product No. M0512 (viscosity 4,000 cP, 2% solution in water) is recommended for cloning or colony growth assays.

  5. How do I sterilize a solution of Methyl cellulose, Product M7027?

    A 0.5-1% solution of methylcellulose can be autoclaved using standard conditions (121 °C, 15 psi, 15-20 minutes). Higher concentrations may lead to chunks of methylcellulose falling out of solution.

  6. What concentration of Methyl cellulose, Product M7027, is used for cell culture?

    Product No. M7027 is used at approximately 50 g/L in media to enhance viscosity of culture media.

  7. Is Methyl cellulose, Product M7027, the same as Methocel?

    Methocel is a brand name and is a synonym for methylcellulose.

  8. How do I store a stock solution of Methyl cellulose, Product M7027?

    A sterile solution of methylcellulose can be stored at room temperature for up to 1 year.

  9. How do I find price and availability?

    There are several ways to find pricing and availability for our products. Once you log onto our website, you will find the price and availability displayed on the product detail page. You can contact any of our Customer Sales and Service offices to receive a quote.  USA customers:  1-800-325-3010 or view local office numbers.

  10. What is the Department of Transportation shipping information for this product?

    Transportation information can be found in Section 14 of the product's (M)SDS.To access the shipping information for this material, use the link on the product detail page for the product. 

  11. My question is not addressed here, how can I contact Technical Service for assistance?

    Ask a Scientist here.

Chandler Warr et al.
ACS applied bio materials, 3(4), 2239-2244 (2020-05-30)
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High throughput and automatic colony formation assay based on impedance measurement technique
Lei KF, et al.
Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, 409(12), 3271-3277 (2017)
Barley beta-glucan accelerates wound healing by favoring migration versus proliferation of human dermal fibroblasts
Fuste NP, et al.
Carbohydrate Polymers, 389-398 (2019)
Large variability in the motility of spiroplasmas in media of different viscosities
Boudet JF, et al.
Scientific Reports, 8(1), 17138-17138 (2018)
Dissociated effect and Chemosensitive enhancement of tumor spheroids influenced by an electric field in a microdevice
Huang Chun-Hao, et al.
Biomedical Microdevices, 20(3), 70-70 (2018)
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Protocols

Hematopoietic Stem Cell Culture Methods

Hematopoietic stem cell culture protocols for isolation, expansion, and differentiation of CD34+ cells including CFU assays.

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