Life Sciences
Cell Culture & Assay
Our cultureware products enable researchers to create and analyze unique and informative experimental models.
![Cell Culture & Assay](https://simpore.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Flow-Cell-1-1024x1024.jpg)
![Cell Culture & Assay](https://simpore.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Cell-Culture.jpg)
Barrier Cells
Live Cell Culture Imaging
- Observe live cell dynamics with unparalleled clarity: Watch cells move over or through porous membranes with outstanding contrast, including immune cell transmigration across endothelial and epithelial barriers.
- Easily monitor cell growth: Follow the growth of cells to confluency right on the membrane using conventional microscopy.
![Live Cell Imaging](https://simpore.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/live-cell-imaging-examples2-1024x501.jpg)
Time-lapse phase contrast images were recorded of neutrophils migrating through a nanoporous membrane-supported HUVEC monolayer. Phase-bright neutrophils are on the Lumenal side, while phase-dark neutrophils have translocated to the ablumenal side of the HUVEC layer.
Image Credit: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/pmid/30632319/
Immunofluorescence Studies
- Label and image without having to cut out membranes: Unlike traditional membrane inserts, directly immunolabel one or more cell types, on either membrane surface, and image without any additional bothersome manipulations.
![](https://simpore.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/MAX_Cla5_ZO1_Dev1_40X_1_Molly-iPSC-Z-stack_1.jpg)
![](https://simpore.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/MAX_Cla5_ZO1_Dev1_40X_1_Molly-iPSC-Z-stack_2.jpg)
![](https://simpore.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/MAX_Cla5_ZO1_Dev1_40X_1_Molly-iPSC-Z-stack_3.jpg)
![](https://simpore.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/MAX_Cla5_ZO1_Dev2_40X_2_Molly-iPSC-Z-stack_1.jpg)
![](https://simpore.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/MAX_Cla5_ZO1_Dev2_40X_2_Molly-iPSC-Z-stack_2.jpg)
![](https://simpore.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/MAX_Cla5_ZO1_Dev2_40X_2_Molly-iPSC-Z-stack_3.jpg)
IPSC-derived endothelial-like cells cultured on Silicon Nanomembranes were fixed and stained for tight junction proteins (Claudin-5 and ZO-1), and counterstained with Hoechst 33342. Cells were imaged with a confocal microscope at 40X magnification.
Image Credit: Molly McCloskey and James McGrath, University of Rochester
Confocal Microscopy of Co-Cultures
- See cells and basement membranes, not plastic: Nanoporous silicon nitride membranes are thinner than an optical slice in confocal microscopy, so are nearly invisible in confocal reconstructions of co-cultures and basement membranes.
![](https://simpore.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/nihms854144f7.jpg)
Fluorescent images of endothelial (HUVEC) and adipose stem cells (ADSCs) grown on silicon nanomembranes. Cells were fixed, permeabilized, and stained for nuclei (blue), actin cytoskeleton (green), and VE-cadherin (red). (A) ADSC grown on the apical side and (C) HUVEC grown on the basal side of a silicon nanomembrane. (B) ADSC grown on the apical side and (D) HUVEC grown on the basal side of a conventional membrane insert. (E, F) Cross-sections taken at the dashed white line.
Image Credit: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5373106/
Compartmentalized Cultures
- Paracrine communication as if there were no membrane: Extraordinarily permeable silicon nanomembranes support small molecule diffusion between apical and basal compartments without any measurable hindrance from the membranes.
![cell culture secretion assay](https://simpore.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Cell-Culture-Secretion-Assay-r2-1024x398.jpg)
An in vitro vasculature model was created on a silicon nanomembrane, permitting stimulation by an inflammatory molecule from either the top (lumenal) or bottom (ablumenal) chambers. The media was harvested from either chamber and a standard ELISA was used to measure IL-8 secreted into either chamber.
Image Credit: https://doi.org/10.3389/fmedt.2020.600616
Single Cells, Spheroids & Organoids
Microbubble Array™ products promote a wide range of research activities due to their unique features.
- One-of-a-kind hemispherical microcavities within a cell-compatible substrate
- Cavities with nanoliter volumes are ideal for creating microenvironments in which to culture and assay single-cell and multicellular spheroids and organoids
- Useful for stem cell and antibody-producing cell clonal selections
- Available in convenient Chamber Slide, Multi-Well plate, and Culture Dish formats with various cavity opening and volume sizes
![Microbubble Array™ Cultureware](https://simpore.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/MicroBubble-r2-1024x271.jpg)
MB arrays can be used to identify drug-resistant cancer cells
MC-1 is a melanoma cancer cell line derived from lung metastasis. MC-1s grown in a hydrophobic environment displayed a nonadherent phenotype. Images of MC-1 melanoma cells cultures after 48 hours in increasing Cisplatin treatment. Live cells are stained with green Calcein-AM.
Cultureware Options
Get the highest resolution imaging of barrier-forming cells with SiMPore’s µSiM-CellVu products.
![](https://simpore.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/usim-logo.webp)
µSIM-CellVu Options of Our Microfluidics Enabled by Silicon Membranes Products
µSiM-CellVu Cultureware is available in three formats, enabling shorter working distance and higher magnification imaging:
Format | Working Distance | Magnification |
---|---|---|
Standard | 600 µm | Up to 40X LWD |
High-Resolution | 300 µm | Up to 40X |
Ultrahigh-Resolution | 225 µm | Up to 100X |
We also offer a choice of membrane pore sizes for experimental flexibility:
Membrane | Pore Size | Recommended Use |
---|---|---|
Nanoporous | 50 nm | Barrier cell models |
Dual-Scale | 50 nm + 3 µm | Transmigration studies |
Microporous | 500 nm, 3 µm | Miscellaneous cell assays |
Shop µSiM-CellVu Products
Purchase a complete µSiM-CellVu assembly, build your own with a variety of µSiM kit options, or shop individual µSiM components.