Alvetex Scaffold Confocal triple stained HepG2

Alvetex® – polystyrene scaffold for 3D cell culture and tissue bioengineering

Cells grown in Alvetex® maintain their in vivo morphology, behaviour and responsiveness within an in vitro model system. Presented as a 200 µm thick membrane, Alvetex is adapted to fit a variety of conventional and advanced cell culture plasticware formats.

Alvetex 3D Cell Culture Systems

Unlike in conventional 2D plasticware, the Alvetex 3D cell culture system enables individual cells to maintain their normal shape and structure with minimal exogenous support and interference, forming complex interactions with adjacent cells. Alvetex encourages cells to function in a more physiologically relevant manner.

NEW

Alvetex Advanced Tissue Bioengineering System

Alvetex Advanced is REPROCELL’s next-generation 3D tissue platform, designed for scientists who need biologically relevant, reproducible models such as skin for testing pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, chemicals, and devices. Powered by our proven Alvetex scaffold technology, it creates bioengineered constructs that share the features of real human tissues.

Alvetex Advanced bioengineered full thickness human skin

Bioengineered 3D tissue model services

3D bioengineered human tissue models produced using Alvetex, accurately recapitulate human biology in longer duration experiments, allowing investigations into mechanisms that are key to many drug targets including fibrosis, wound healing and epithelial barrier disruption.

Background image: triple fluorescent staining of hepatocarcinoma HepG2 cells grown for 3 days on Alvetex Scaffold.

Genuine 3D cell culture, Simply and Routinely

Typical mammalian cells are around 10-25 µm in size and are rarely further than 0-50 µm from another cell or 100-200 µm from a source of nutrients via a blood capillary.

Alvetex Scaffold disc 2

Above: Alvetex Scaffold disc. Width 22 mm; thickness 200 µm. Background image: scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of Alvetex Scaffold.

Growing human or other mammalian cells in Alvetex 3D cell culture allows individual cells to maintain their normal 3D shape and structure with minimal exogenous support and interference. Cells are freely able to form complex interactions with adjacent cells and to receive and transmit signals, enabling a more natural environment to foster the creation of native architecture found in tissues.

The internal architecture of the Alvetex membrane has a structure of voids that are interconnected by pores, that has been optimized for 3D cell culture. The matrix structure is designed to enable cells to reproduce an in vitro environment that is more consistent with the in vivo cellular environment.

Alvetex enables cells to the recreate complex organisations found within their native tissues. Cell cultures and tissue models grown in Alvetex enable more accurate investigation into the study of cell behaviour and function compared with conventional 2D model systems.

Comparing cel culture techniques - traditional 2D

Traditional 2D cell culture puts stresses on cells, resulting in a flattened cell morphology that impairs many cellular functions. This modification of normal cell behaviour often generates inaccurate and misleading data.

Comparing cel culture techniques - Alvetex 3D

Alvetex 3D cell culture eliminates these stresses and artificial responses. Cells are able to maintain their normal shape and internal structure and they can form complex interactions with adjacent cells as they would in vivo, enabling the creation of complex 3D human tissues.

Electron microscope images showing how a cell deforms to adapt to a 2D tissue culture environment, versus how a cell appears in Alvetex 3D cell culture.

Introductory Video

Alvetex enhances the biological relevance of your cell culture research

Cells grow and divide occupying the 3D space within Alvetex Scaffold (or on top of Alvetex Strata), maintaining their natural shape and forming complex interactions with one another in a manner that closely mimics normal growth in tissues. The cells may lay down extra-cellular matrix which often leads to the formation of “mini-slab” tissue-like structures.

Alvetex is compatible with a broad range of standard molecular, cellular and histological techniques.

❯ Alvetex FAQ

❯ The Science of Alvetex

Examples of cells grown in Alvetex, visualised by various techniques

Cells can lay down extracellular matrix in Alvetex Scaffold, often leading to the formation of “mini-slab” tissue-like structures. Fibroblasts, scanning electron micrograph (SEM).

Full-thickness human skin model grown on Alvetex Scaffold in the new Alvetex Advanced tissue bioengineering system. Histological staining.

Murine keratinocytes grown in Alvetex Scaffold. Histological staining. The transparent (unstained) structures are Alvetex.

Brightfield micrograph showing the structure of a human stem cell-derived neurosphere co-cultured with U118-MG glial cells on Alvetex Strata. Histological staining.

Immunocytochemistry analysis showing neurites penetration though Alvetex Scaffold in our 3D outgrowth model. Confocal microscope image. Neurites were visualized by staining with the pan neuronal marker TUJ-1 (green). Nucleii in the neurosphere are stained blue.

Alvetex Scaffold populated with TERA2.cl.SP12 cells. Histological staining.

Alvetex 3D Cell Culture Systems

Alvetex is currently available in two types: Alvetex Scaffold and Alvetex Strata. Both materials are presented as 200 µm thick membranes of highly porous cross-linked polystyrene. The difference is in their fine structure and architecture.

Alvetex 3D Cell Culture Systems

Alvetex Scaffold

Alvetex Scaffold is primarily designed for three dimensional culture of dissociated mammalian cells within the scaffold, forming three dimensional associations as they propagate and migrate.

Scanning electron microscope image of Alvetex Scaffold, to highlight its porous structure. A: a 200 µm thick Alvetex Scaffold disc. B: Close up of Alvetex Scaffold voids with dimensions of approximately 42 µm in diameter and interconnects of approximately 13 µm in diameter.

Alvetex Strata

Alvetex Strata is primarily designed to support the growth of cells and intact tissues on the surface of the membrane.

Scanning electron microscope image of Alvetex Strata. C: a 200 µm thick Alvetex Strata disc. D: Close up of Alvetex Strata voids with dimensions of approximately 15 µm in diameter and interconnects of approximately 5 µm in diameter.

A range of Alvetex plasticware to suit all your applications

Alvetex Scaffold multiwell plates

Ideal for 3D culture in the top half of the scaffold, or layered above
Cells are fed from the top of the scaffold only
Useful for when restricted cell penetration is required
An option for use with expensive cells, reducing cell number (e.g. cell transfection)
Allows high throughput applications in 3D

Alvetex Scaffold and Alvetex Strata well inserts

Enables cells to be fed from above and below simultaneously
Ideal for longer term 3D culture
Growth of cells at the air/liquid interface
Readily transfer 3D cultures to a fresh plate
Enables co-culture studies (2D+3D, or 3D+3D)

Alvetex well insert holder

Reduces frequency of media changing as up to 95 mL of medium
Can be used to support a single 3D culture
Ideal for maintaining long term 3D culture experiments of up to several weeks
Facilitates the use of a magnetic stirrer to increase media circulation if required

Alvetex perfusion plates

Inter-changeable Luer locks can be adapted to a range of tubing diameters
Tissue fragments, 3D cultures in Alvetex well inserts and 2D cells can be maintained in the perfusion plate (for 2D cells, the plasticware may require coating with the appropriate cell culture reagent to promote cell adhesion)
Unidirectional flow between separate wells allows the study of the interaction between cell populations grown in separate wells through the release of paracrine factors

Alvetex 3D Cell Culture Systems

A highly versatile modular plasticware system for tissue bioengineering

Alvetex Advanced well inserts containing Alvetex Scaffold membrane (AVP022).

Alvetex Advanced well inserts (AVP022) in well insert holder (included, and also available separately as AVP031).

Advanced medium handle (AVP024) and Alvetex Advanced insert (AVP022).

Advanced Deep Plate, 6 well (AVP026).

Advanced Deep Plate, 6 well (AVP026) with handle holder (AVP030) with three handles (low, AVP023; medium, AVP024; high AVP025)) containing Alvetex Advanced well inserts (AVP022).

Advanced Deep Plate, single well 125 ml (AVP029).

Alvetex Advanced Tissue Bioengineering System

Differences between Alvetex and Alvetex Advanced plasticware

Features and capabilities	Alvetex 3D Cell Culture System		Alvetex Advanced Tissue Bioengineering System
Features and capabilities	Alvetex® Strata	Alvetex® Scaffold	Alvetex® Scaffold
Supports routine 3D cell culture	✓	✓	✓
Cells maintain their natural shape and can interact with neighbouring cells	✓	✓	✓
Fibroblasts produce endogenous ECM negating need for additional coatings	✓	✓	✓
Compatible with a wide range of standard molecular, cellular and histological techniques used in cell biology and bioedical laboratories	✓	✓	✓
Inserts compatible with existing commercial culture plates	✓	✓	✓
Mammalian cells adhere and grow primarily on the surface of the scaffold	✓
Mammalian cells grow primarily within the scaffold and on its suface		✓	✓
Designed to enable bioengineering of tissue constructs (e.g. human skin)		✓	✓✓✓
Unique set of inserts, handles, plates allows users great flexibility in experimental design, customising setup bespoke for specific applications			✓✓✓
Live culture models can be readily transferred between different plasticware formats	✓✓	✓✓	✓✓✓
Compartible with measurement instrumentation (e.g. TEER, pH)		✓	✓✓
Clinical / cosmetic testing instruments can be used on in vitro skin models		✓	✓✓✓
Dimensions of baseplates consistent with existing commercial plasticware enabling compatibility with robotics platforms, imaging setups, readers, etc.			✓✓✓
Unique design enables 3D culture models to be easily released for subsequent analysis by unclipping the bespoke insert and releasing the Alvetex disc	✓	✓	✓
Live unclipped cultures and be re-assembled post-analysis and culture continued	✓	✓	✓
Control of media volumes above and below culture model		✓	✓✓✓
Range of single well and multi-welled plates allowing greater control over media volumes			✓✓✓
Novel single welled plates allow sharing of media and paracrine signals between models promoting crosstalk during tissue differentiation and function			✓✓✓
Ability to handle and change media of multiple models simultaneously			✓✓✓
Easily raise and lower the inserts while in culture, e.g. to air interface	✓	✓	✓✓✓
Enhanced perimeter seal around the model enabling more advanced barrier permation assays and testing passage of substances between upper and lower compartments			✓
Surface of the tissue construct readily accessible enabling application of test articles, measurements, imaging, wounding to surface, occulsion, etc.	✓	✓	✓✓✓
Ability to access surface of the tissue construct in isolation of the growth medium below, minimising chances of media contamination			✓✓✓
Single welled plates and deep multi-welled plate can be used for general cell culture applications alone			✓✓✓

Alvetex Advanced bioengineered full thickness skin model

Bioengineered 3D Tissue Model Services

REPROCELL's 3D bioengineered human tissues assay services, produced using Alvetex®, complement our fresh tissue assays by accurately recapitulating human biology in longer duration experiments, allowing investigations into mechanisms that are key to many drug targets including fibrosis, wound healing and epithelial barrier disruption.

Our human tissue models are also useful for testing other substances including chemicals, consumer products, cosmetics and pollutants.

Background image: full-thickness human skin model grown on Alvetex Scaffold using the Alvetex Advanced 3D tissue bioengineering system.