MegaCult-C Collagen & Media (-cyto), rk

A collagen-based culture matrix from STEMCELL Technologies enables the enumeration and characterization of megakaryocyte progenitor cells (CFU-Mk) from bone marrow, peripheral blood, or cord blood sources. This cytokine-free formulation provides a defined baseline matrix that researchers can supplement with specific growth factors, allowing custom modulation of megakaryopoiesis studies.

The semi-solid collagen matrix supports three-dimensional colony growth while permitting in situ immunochemical staining for direct visualization and counting of megakaryocyte colonies. Researchers commonly use this system to evaluate progenitor frequency, study differentiation pathways leading to platelet-producing cells, and screen compounds for effects on megakaryocyte biology.

Typical research applications include:

• CFU-Mk colony-forming assays in hematopoietic research
• Studies of thrombopoiesis and platelet biogenesis
• Drug discovery for thrombocytopenia and related hematological disorders
• Characterization of cord blood-derived progenitors
• Quality assessment of hematopoietic stem cell products

When combined with user-supplied cytokines or test samples, the included collagen solution and specialized media components produce a robust culture environment. Colonies are scored after 10-12 days of incubation at 37°C with 5% CO₂, using either acetylcholinesterase staining or immunocytochemistry with platelet and megakaryocyte markers such as CD41 or CD61.

The cytokine-free configuration is especially useful for laboratories that need to control growth factor exposure precisely, evaluate novel cytokines, or perform baseline progenitor assessments without confounding variables. STEMCELL Technologies also offers complementary MegaCult-C variants containing predefined cytokine cocktails for standard CFU-Mk enumeration workflows.