Bambanker™ hRM: Xeno-Free Cryopreservation for Human ES and iPS Cells
Bambanker™ hRM is a serum-free, xeno-free cell freezing medium designed for human and other primate embryonic stem (ES) and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. Pluripotent stem cells are notoriously difficult to cryopreserve. Vitrification gives good colony recovery but is technically demanding and slow, while simple slow freezing in 10% DMSO and culture medium often returns only small colonies. Bambanker™ hRM closes that gap with a ready-to-use medium that freezes cells directly at -80°C.
It is made with human serum albumin and contains no other animal-derived components, with no fetal bovine serum, bovine serum albumin, antibiotics or antifungals. 10% DMSO acts as the cryoprotectant. Bambanker™ hRM is manufactured in GMP-compliant facilities and now has a US Type II Drug Master File (DMF) on record with the FDA, which gives groups working towards translational and regenerative medicine applications a well-documented starting point.
Key Benefits:
- Xeno-Free: No non-human components. Formulated with human serum albumin and free of FBS, BSA and other animal-derived ingredients.
- Better Colony Recovery: Outperforms 10% DMSO. Human iPS cells recover as large colonies, comparable to vitrification, without its demanding technique.
- Simple Workflow: No vitrification. Pellet, resuspend and place directly at -80°C, with no programmable freezer and no rapid liquid nitrogen handling.
- Regulatory Documentation: US Type II Drug Master File. Detailed manufacturing information is held confidentially by the FDA and can be referenced in a relevant regulatory submission with the DMF holder’s authorisation.
- GMP Manufacture: Made in GMP-compliant facilities. A well-controlled starting point for groups moving from research towards translational work.
- Ready to Use: No preparation. Supplied as a complete solution, with no dilution or additives needed.
Type II Drug Master File
Bambanker™ hRM has a US Type II Drug Master File. A DMF allows detailed and confidential manufacturing information to be submitted directly to the US FDA.
With authorisation from the DMF holder, eligible users can reference the Bambanker™ hRM DMF in a relevant regulatory submission. This gives the FDA access to supporting information without disclosing proprietary details to the public.
For teams working with ES cells, iPS cells or other sensitive human cell types, this adds another layer of documentation support as projects move from research towards translational or clinical development.
If you are evaluating cryopreservation media for sensitive human cell workflows, we’d be happy to discuss your application and the documentation questions that may become important as your programme develops. Get in touch with the Geneflow team to talk it through.
Choosing the Right Bambanker™
Every Bambanker™ medium is ready to use, free of fetal bovine serum and antibiotics, and freezes cells directly at -80°C. They differ in what they are built to protect.
| Catalogue No. | Product | Best for | Formulation | Freezing workflow | Pack sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| K1-0666 K1-0664 K1-0662 K1-0661 |
 Bambanker™ (Standard)View Product |
Routine and primary cell lines, tissue pieces, organoids and spheroids | Serum-free, 10% DMSO | Pellet, resuspend, freeze at -80°C | 10 mL, 20 mL, 5 × 20 mL, 100 mL |
| K1-0668 |  Bambanker™ DirectView Product |
Hybridomas, fragile suspension cells, high-throughput clone banking | FBS-free (contains bovine serum-derived components) | Add 1:1 to cells in medium, freeze at -80°C. No centrifugation | 20 mL |
| K1-0676 |  Bambanker™ DMSO FreeView Product |
Cells that are damaged or differentiated by DMSO | Serum-free, DMSO-free | Pellet, resuspend, freeze at -80°C | 20 mL |
| K1-0672 K1-0673 |
 Bambanker™ hRMYou are here |
Human and primate ES and iPS cells | Serum-free, xeno-free, human serum albumin, 10% DMSO. US Type II DMF | Pellet, resuspend, freeze at -80°C | 20 mL, 100 mL |
Technical Insights
Bambanker™ hRM Compared with Other Stem Cell Freezing Methods
| Vitrification | 10% DMSO in culture medium | Bambanker™ hRM | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technique | Demanding, fast handling in liquid nitrogen | Simple | Simple |
| Equipment | Liquid nitrogen at the point of freezing | Controlled cooling | -80°C freezer |
| Colony recovery in human iPSCs | Large colonies | Small colonies | Large colonies |
| Animal components | Depends on the solution | Depends on the medium | Xeno-free, human serum albumin |
| US FDA Drug Master File | Not applicable | Depends on the medium | Type II DMF on record |
▼ Evidence: Bambanker™ hRM performance data (click to expand)
Human iPS Cells: Colony Recovery After Thawing
Figure 1: Human iPSC line 201B7 frozen in Bambanker™ hRM, a conventional vitrification medium or 10% DMSO in culture medium. After thawing, the 10% DMSO group gave only small colonies, while Bambanker™ hRM gave large colonies close in size to the vitrification method. Data: Hasumi International Research Foundation.
Marmoset Fibroblasts for iPS Induction
Figure 2: Common marmoset fibroblasts intended for iPS cell induction were frozen for two months at -80°C in Bambanker™ hRM or media from two other suppliers, then assessed 24 and 48 hours after thawing. Bambanker™ hRM gave the highest survival, and only these cells were numerous enough to go straight into iPS induction. Data: Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University.
Simple Freezing and Thawing Protocol
Bambanker™ hRM follows the standard Bambanker™ workflow: harvest, aspirate, resuspend, transfer to a cryovial and store at -80°C.
Freezing
- Harvest: Pellet cells in logarithmic growth phase.
- Resuspend: Resuspend in Bambanker™ hRM at 5 × 10⁵ to 1 × 10⁷ viable cells/mL.
- Aliquot: Dispense into cryovials.
- Freeze: Place directly at -80°C, without step-wise freezing. Transfer to liquid nitrogen afterwards if required.
Thawing
- Thaw quickly: Warm the vial rapidly in a water bath or constant-temperature chamber.
- Dilute: Transfer the cells into about 10 volumes of fresh culture medium and mix well.
- Wash: Centrifuge at 300–400 × g for 3 minutes and remove the supernatant.
- Culture: Resuspend in your stem cell medium and plate.
Bambanker™ hRM belongs to the Bambanker™ family, which has been cited across more than 100 cell and sample types. See the standard Bambanker™ page for the wider validation data and publication list.
Bambanker™ hRM Frequently Asked Questions
1. What makes Bambanker™ hRM different from standard Bambanker™?
Bambanker™ hRM is formulated for human and primate ES and iPS cells. It is made with human serum albumin and contains no other animal-derived components, so it fits xeno-free workflows. It also has a US Type II Drug Master File, which standard Bambanker™ does not. Standard Bambanker™ is a general-purpose medium for a wide range of cell types.
2. Is it xeno-free?
Yes. The manufacturer describes Bambanker™ hRM as serum-free and xeno-free. It contains human serum albumin and no other animal-derived components.
3. Does it contain DMSO?
Yes, it contains 10% DMSO as the cryoprotectant.
4. What is the freezing protocol?
Pellet cells in logarithmic growth phase, resuspend at 5 × 10⁵ to 1 × 10⁷ viable cells/mL, dispense into cryovials and freeze directly at -80°C. No step-wise or programmed freezing is needed.
5. What is the thawing protocol?
Thaw quickly, transfer into about 10 volumes of fresh medium, centrifuge at 300–400 × g for 3 minutes, remove the supernatant and plate in your stem cell medium.
6. Should I use a ROCK inhibitor after thawing?
The manufacturer’s protocol does not specify one. Many human pluripotent stem cell protocols add a ROCK inhibitor such as Y-27632 for the first day after thawing, so follow the approach validated in your lab.
7. Can I keep cells at -80°C?
Yes. Frozen cells can be stored at -80°C or in liquid nitrogen (-196°C). Marmoset fibroblasts stored for two months at -80°C showed the best survival with Bambanker™ hRM in the data above.
8. What is a Type II Drug Master File, and what does it mean for me?
A DMF is a submission that lets a manufacturer give the US FDA detailed, confidential manufacturing information directly. Bambanker™ hRM has a US Type II DMF. If you are preparing a relevant regulatory submission, the DMF can be referenced with authorisation from the DMF holder, so the FDA can see the supporting information without it being disclosed to the public. It is useful documentation for groups moving from research towards translational or clinical development. Having a DMF is not an FDA approval of the product, and Bambanker™ hRM itself is sold for research use only.
9. How do I reference the Bambanker™ hRM DMF in a submission?
Referencing the DMF needs authorisation from the DMF holder, and only eligible users with a relevant regulatory submission can do so. If you are evaluating cryopreservation media for a sensitive human cell workflow, contact Geneflow with details of your application and we’ll discuss the documentation questions that may matter for your programme.
10. How should I store the medium?
Store at 2–10°C. Shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture.
11. Is it made to GMP?
Bambanker™ hRM is manufactured in GMP-compliant facilities. For research use only. Not for use in humans or for diagnostic or therapeutic procedures.
Specifications
- Product type: Serum-free, xeno-free cell freezing medium for ES and iPS cells
- Formulation: Ready to use. Human serum albumin with no other animal-derived components. Contains 10% DMSO. Free of FBS, BSA, antibiotics and antifungals
- Suitable for: Human and primate ES and iPS cells, and primary cells intended for iPS induction
- Recommended cell density: 5 × 10⁵ to 1 × 10⁷ viable cells/mL
- Freezing: Directly at -80°C, with no programmed or step-wise freezing
- Storage of frozen cells: -80°C or liquid nitrogen (-196°C)
- Storage of medium: 2–10°C
- Shelf life: 2 years from date of manufacture
- Pack sizes: 20 mL (K1-0672), 100 mL (K1-0673)
- Regulatory: US Type II Drug Master File. Can be referenced in a relevant regulatory submission with authorisation from the DMF holder
- Quality: Manufactured in GMP-compliant facilities
- Intended use: For research use only. Not for use in humans or for diagnostic or therapeutic procedures.