The Roswell Park Memorial Institute, RPMI 1640 is a modification of McCoy's 5A containing an increased level of inositol.

Examples of cell types for which this medium is appropriate include mammalian myeloma and hybridoma cells such as mouse hybridomas, human leukocytes, and B and T lymphocytes. RPMI 1640 is also used for suspension cultures or monolayer human leukemic cells. This formulation is produced with L-glutamine.

RPMI 1640 [+] L-glutamine is used for islet cell isolation and processing for diabetes research requires a variety of specialized cell culture media, separation and gradient solutions, porcine-specific solutions, and related isolation, trimming, and storage/preservation solutions. Most islet solutions have been customised to include or leave out components such as insulin, transferrin, HSA, ciprofloxacin, and HEPES.