RPMI has successfully been used for the cultivation of normal human and neoplastic leukocytes. It is now a popular general purpose medium when properly supplemented. As a modification of McCoy′s 5A Medium, it was formulated to support lymphoblastoid cells in suspension culture, but it has since been shown to support a wide variety of cells that are anchorage dependent.

• Originally developed by Moore and his colleagues at Roswell Park Memorial Institute (RPMI)
• Widely used in fusion protocols and in the growth of hybrid cells
• Used with a serum supplement, to support several cell lines in the absence of serum

It was based on the RPMI 1630 line of media which utilised a bicarbonate buffering system and alterations in the amounts of amino acids and vitamins.

The Dutch Modification of RPMI 1640 is also available through MP, contains 6400 mg/L sodium chloride instead of 6000 mg/L, 1000 mg/L sodium bicarbonate instead of 2000 mg/L, and 20 mM HEPES.