Description
Produce mature melanocytes after 5 days
Ensure confidence in your workflow with high-quality Melanocytes differentiated from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Derived from consenting donors, our melanocytes have been specifically developed for use in powerful in vitro monoculture models, and complex co-culture systems for drug discovery and cosmetics research.
Rely on robust, physiologically relevant melanocytes that express the key markers (PAX3, MITF, PMEL17 and TYRP1) and display typical morphology. That means robust, physiologically relevant models of skin for drug discovery, toxicology, cosmetics, and dermatology research
Supporting quality and consistency
Confidently carry out your workflow with our high-quality iPSCs manufactured with rigorous quality control procedures and guided by decades of scientific experience. All cells come with a full Certificate of Analysis to ensure ethical and biological conformity for your peace of mind.
Join our customer base of top pharma and cosmetics companies in building robust, physiologically relevant models for screening active ingredients, research and drug discovery.
How to get high functioning melanocytes:
- You’ll need melanocytes PCi-MEL, and all reagents
- Follow the protocol
- 5 days later you will have highly functional melanocytes
Cells & Kits
| Product name | Cells only code / vial | Quantity / per vial | Kit code |
| Human iPSC-derived Melanocytes, Caucasian donor,≥ 1 M cells | PCi-MEL_CAU_1M | ≥ 1 M cells | PCi-MEL_CAU_KIT |
| Human iPSC-derived Melanocytes, African donor,≥ 1 M cells | Available for use in service projects only. | ≥ 1 M cells | |
| Human iPSC-derived Melanocytes, Asian donor,≥ 1 M cells | Available for use in service projects only. | ≥ 1 M cells | |
| Human iPSC-derived Melanocytes, Albino (OCA1) donor,≥ 1 M cells | Available for use in service projects only. | ≥ 1 M cells |
Media and Supplements
| Product name | Product code | Quantity |
| Melanocyte Culture Media, 100 ml, + Supplement (400 µL) | PhenoCULT®-MEL_100 | 100 ml |
| Melanocyte Culture Media, 500 ml, + Supplement (5 x 400 µL) | PhenoCULT®-MEL_500 | 500 ml |
Product Highlights
- Derived from human iPSCs
- Assay ready in 5 days
- Express the typical markers PAX3, MITF, PMEL17 and TYRP1
- Produce melanin and demonstrate melanosome transfer to keratinocytes
Used by leading biopharma and cosmetics companies to fuel advanced in vitro models for screening active ingredients, research and drug discovery.
Phenotypic relevance: Morphology
PCi-MEL melanocytes were cultured for 5 days. Representative brightfield images. X20 objective
Phenotypic relevance: ICC
Immunostaining of PAX3, MITF, PMEL17 and TYRP1 (green) in PCi-MEL cultured for 5 days. Nuclei were counterstained with Hoechst (blue). X20 objective
Phenotypic relevance: flow cytometry
PCi-MEL (red) and hiPSC (black) were cultured for 5 days, singled and stained with a PMEL17 antibody and analyzed by flow cytometry for PMEL17 protein expression. > 95% PMEL17+
PCi-MEL are a relevant model for tanning bioassays
Caucasian PCi-MEL were cultured for 5 days and treated for 4 days with a propigmenting reference or vehicle. Representative brightfield images. X20 objective (A). Melanin content of Asian and Caucasian PCi-MEL was extracted, dosed and normalized to cell count after treatment for 4 days with a propigmenting reference or vehicle (B). African PCi-MEL were cultured for 5 days and treated for 4 days with a depigmenting reference, a propigmenting reference or vehicle and melanin content was extracted, dosed and normalized to cell count (C). Error bars represent Standard Deviation. Unpaired t test compared to the basal control with *p<0.05 **p<0.01 ***p<0.001 ****p<0.0001.
PCi-MEL are a relevant model for lightening bioassays
PCi-MEL with different phototypes were cultured for 5 days. Representative brightfield images. X20 objective .Scale bar 50 µm (A). Melanin content of Albino (ALB), Caucasian (CAU), Asian (ASI) and African (AFR) PCi-MEL was extracted, dosed and normalized to cell count (B). Albino (ALB), primary melanocytes (HEMn), Asian (ASI) and African (AFR) PCi-MEL were cultured for 5 days and treated for 4 days with a depigmenting reference or vehicle and melanin content was extracted, dosed and normalized to cell count (C). Error bars represent Standard Deviation. Unpaired t test compared to the vehicle control with *p<0.05 ****p<0.0001.
Applications
PCi-MEL melanocytes are tools for dermatology screening, research, pharmacology, and drug discovery.
We have a community of biopharma and cosmetics companies that use our melanocytes for cosmetics screening and research, using powerful in vitro models.
Quality
Guided by over a decade of expertise, we ensure confidence in the quality of our iPSC-derived cells with rigorous QC. All cells come with a Cellular Analysis Report to ensure ethical and biological conformity for your peace of mind.
Licenses & Consent
Axol has obtained all relevant licenses for reprogramming donor samples into iPSCs and differentiating these into melanocytes for commercial use.
Patient samples used to create these sebocytes have been ethically sourced and consented for research and commercial use. All cells come with a full Certificate of Analysis and are officially certified by HPSCreg®, to ensure ethical and biological conformity for your peace of mind.