Physiologically Relevant Cell Culture

Until recently, the only techniques available for cell or tissue culture were limited to 2D. Reconstituting a physiologically relevant environment in two dimensions is nearly impossible: cells in 2D are exposed to high levels of serum and oxygen, they adapt their morphology to the 2D environment (thus modifying protein expression), and crucial intercellular interactions are reduced to insignificant levels.

While animal models offer the closest in vivo experimental system, they have limited applications as not all diseases can be recreated in animal models. In vivo systems are also of their nature complex, and this complexity makes it harder to control and measure all the factors that might be relevant.

As biological sciences rely heavily on tissue culture, running experiments in 3D conditions brings research to the next level. See below to explore our selection of 3D Cell Culture technologies, to help you improve your experimental set ups, to model in vivo conditions.

Artificial Scaffolds are highly stable, providing surfaces for cells to attach, grow, and differentiate in a 3D environment. They also have the ability to multiplex several cell types by combining scaffold slabs in various co-culture combinations.

Hydrogels are formed of synthetic and/or natural extracellular matrices, cross-linked networks, and interconnected pores possessing high water retention. These components allow the creation a cell microenvironment that mimics the dynamic extracellular matrix.

Alginate is an anionic polysaccharide derived from brown algae cell walls, which forms a gel in the presence of calcium. Cells can be easily harvested from alginate gels, making it the perfect choice for 3D cell culture.

Extracellular matrix proteins have revolutionized in vitro and in vivo cell models by providing optimal environmental conditions to promote physiologically relevant cellular structure and function.

Collagen is the most abundant protein in mammals, making up 25% to 35% of the whole body protein content. We provide a range of collagens for cell culture, produced using rigorous and controlled production processes that yield the highest quality products for life science research.

Vitronectin is a major plasma glycoprotein that can be used for coating tissue culture surfaces to promote cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation, or as an additive for serum-free media.

These highly positively charged amino acid chains are commonly used as a coating agent for cell culture on TCT plastic or glass surfaces. Poly-D-Lysine is resistant to enzymatic degradation and allows proliferation and differentiation of a variety of neuronal cell lines.

Low adhesion based solutions, such as Lipidure®, promote cell aggregation, allowing the formation of spheroids and embryoid bodies due cell-cell interactions. These coatings can also be used to differentiate embryoid bodies into organoids.

Cell Behavior Assays allow precise evaluation of cell adhesion, migration, and invasion. Our 3D cell assays provide a more physiologically relevant method of measuring these with easy transition to high-throughput scale.

EZCell™ Cell Migration/Chemotaxis and Invasion Assays utilize a Boyden chamber, allowing cells to migrate through a semi-permeable membrane under different stimuli. Migration and invasion is analyzed by measuring fluorescence in a plate reader. With its ease of use and high sensitivity, these assays can be adapted to high-throughput systems.

Angiogenesis is a multi-step process, involving sprouting and growth of new blood vessels from existing vasculature. In multiple in vivo models, stem cells have been shown to modulate angiogenesis in response to injury, disease and cancer. The in vitro Angiogenesis Tube Formation Assay is designed to study prospective stem cell mediated angiogenesis in a 96-well plate format.

Cells are an essential tool within cellular and molecular biology, offering a model system to study physiology and biochemistry. From immortalized cell lines to isolated primary cells, our large portfolio of cells means that you can find the exact cell type to meet your research needs.

Primary cells are isolated directly from human or animal tissue, and therefore offer a more physiologically relevant model of the in vivo state compared to cell lines. Our range of primary cells include both human normal and tumor cells, alongside several animal cell types.

Stem cells are defined by their ability to undergo self-renewal and their biological potency to differentiate into distinct mature cell types. These characteristics offer the potential for stem cells to be used for a range of therapeutic applications in regenerative medicine.

Correct methods of cell harvesting and storage are vital for ensuring maximum cell viability. Cell detachment and dissociation solutions offer a simple and gentle method for cell harvesting, as an alternative to Trypsin. Cell freezing media enables long-term storage of cells whilst maintaining normal karyotype, pluripotency, and proliferation ability post-thaw.