Unlike animal-derived basement membranes, which suffer from batch-to-batch inconsistency and contain over 2000 undefined components, the NexaGel® system is a defined synthetic hydrogel with modifiable functional ligands and no animal or human-derived substances. It offers strong hydrogel properties with controlled mechanical stiffness and degradability. Additionally, NexaGel® allows for efficient and simple recovery of cells from the 3D hydrogel matrix, giving researchers full control over the creation of a biomimetic ECM environment for various applications.
Ready-to-use formulations
NexaGel® hydrogel is ready to use, with optimized multifunctional ligands and concentration formulations to support a wide range of cell types. It is ideal for various applications, including 3D cell models, stem cell spheroids, and organoids, and is especially favored by users seeking simplicity and functionality, as each formulation is ready for direct mixing with the cell suspension without any further adjustments.
FAQ
NexaGel® is a xeno-free synthetic polysaccharide-based hydrogel product.
No, NexaGel® does not contain any natural ECM proteins. Scientists can add growth factors and proteins to the hydrogel system for a well-defined system.
Adjusting the temperature will not induce the hydrogel formation. NexaGel® can maintain the liquid form at room temperature. The hydrogel formation can be induced by mixing with an ionic solution such as a cell culture medium. Increasing the temperature would reduce the viscosity of the hydrogel solution.
Yes, NexaGel® facilitates the diffusion of various molecule sizes, from small molecules to large proteins like IgG. It allows drug compounds, antibodies, and staining dyes to penetrate the hydrogel when added to the cover medium. Additionally, NexaGel® can be combined with molecules for controlled release experiments.
NexaGel® is versatile, supporting 3D cell culture, 2D thick gel coating, and 2D thin gel coating. Embedding cells in the hydrogel matrix for 3D cell culture enhances cell-matrix interactions and potential cell-cell communication, responding to the hydrogel's biophysical and biological properties. For cells that are challenging to culture in 3D, 2D coating offers an alternative.
2D thick gel coating involves applying a hydrogel layer to modify the substance's properties, serving as a middle ground between traditional 2D culture and true 3D cell culture. This method is ideal for researchers who wish to observe cell behavior changes without fully transitioning to 3D culture and is also effective for layer-by-layer co-culture.
2D thin gel coating applies a thin hydrogel layer to alter the surface properties, potentially affecting cell attachment capabilities without changing the substance's stiffness.
Yes, NexaGel® is biocompatible and safe for animal study.
The pore size of NexaGel® is about 200-500 nm. The hydrogel is flexible, soft, so the cells can push the hydrogel matrix out and molecules can easily penetrate through the hydrogel matrix.
The primary differences between 2D and 3D cell cultures are:
1. Structure and Environment:
2D Cell Culture: Cells are grown on flat, two-dimensional surfaces such as petri dishes or culture plates. This environment is less representative of the natural conditions in which cells exist in the body.
3D Cell Culture: Cells are grown in a three-dimensional environment, which can include scaffolds, hydrogels, or other matrices that mimic the extracellular matrix. This setup more closely resembles the natural conditions of tissues and organs.
2. Cell Behavior:
2D Cell Culture: Cells in 2D cultures often exhibit altered morphology, polarity, and function compared to their in vivo counterparts. They tend to spread out and form a monolayer.
3D Cell Culture: Cells in 3D cultures can interact with their surroundings in all directions, leading to more natural cell morphology, differentiation, and function. They can form complex structures such as spheroids, organoids, or tissue-like assemblies.
3. Cell-Cell and Cell-Matrix Interactions:
2D Cell Culture: Limited cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions due to the flat surface, which can affect cellular processes such as signaling, proliferation, and differentiation.
3D Cell Culture: Enhanced cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions, providing a more physiologically relevant environment that supports more accurate cellular responses and behaviors.
4. Nutrient and Oxygen Gradients:
2D Cell Culture: Uniform distribution of nutrients and oxygen, which does not mimic the gradients found in tissues.
3D Cell Culture: Presence of nutrient and oxygen gradients similar to those in vivo, which can influence cell metabolism and function.
5. Applications:
2D Cell Culture: Commonly used for basic cell biology studies, drug screening, and toxicity testing. Easier to handle and more cost-effective.
3D Cell Culture: Increasingly used for more advanced applications such as cancer research, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine. Provides more accurate models for studying complex biological processes and disease mechanisms.
6. Complexity and Cost:
2D Cell Culture: Simpler to set up and maintain, generally less expensive.
3D Cell Culture: More complex to establish and maintain, often more expensive due to the need for specialized materials and equipment.
In summary, while 2D cell cultures are simpler and more cost-effective, 3D cell cultures offer a more realistic and physiologically relevant environment for studying cellular behavior and function.
