3D cell cultures using REPROCELL’s Alvetex® technology deliver more in vivo-like results over traditional two-dimensional monolayer cultures. Alvetex allows cell biologists to maintain the integrity of cell structure and organization found within native tissue to better understand cellular biology.
All Alvetex products are made from the same inert polystyrene material as standard 2D cell culture plasticware.
Alvetex is available in a wide range of plate and well insert formats supporting a broad range of cell and tissue type environments for cells to penetrate, grow and proliferate in 3D.
Each product unit has been terminally sterilised by gamma irradiation and remains sterile until its blister pack is opened.
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.
Above: 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 is primarily designed to support the growth of cells and intact tissues on the surface of the membrane.
Above: 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.
Comprised of a single loose disc of Alvetex Scaffold and a polystyrene clip in each well of a 12 well plate. The clip holds the disc in position during transit and use, and can easily be removed for access to the Alvetex Scaffold and cells grown in 3D culture.
The 12 well plate format, a simple presentation of Alvetex Scaffold technology, is primarily suitable for short term culture experiments where the medium is replaced every 1-2 days.
Comprised of a single loose disc of Alvetex Scaffold and a polystyrene clip in each well of a 24 well plate. The clip holds the disc in position during transit and use, and can easily be removed for access to the Alvetex Scaffold and cells grown in 3D culture.
The 24 well plate format, a simple presentation of Alvetex Scaffold technology, is primarily suitable for short term culture experiments where the medium is replaced every 1-2 days.
Comprised of a black 96 well plate, clear plastic base, with Alvetex Scaffold at the bottom of each well. The Alvetex Scaffold has been heat welded to the base of the wells in a process which does not alter its physical structure.
Cells growing in 3D are exposed to culture medium from above only, and therefore predominantly reside in the top portion of scaffold.
Alvetex Scaffold 96 well plate technology is compatible with a wide range of in vitro cell viability assays.
Comprised of a black 384 well plate, clear plastic base, with Alvetex Scaffold at the bottom of each well. The Alvetex Scaffold has been heat welded to the base of the wells in a process which does not alter its physical structure.
Cells growing in 3D are exposed to culture medium from above only, and therefore predominantly reside in the top portion of scaffold.
Alvetex Scaffold 384 well plate technology is compatible with a wide range of in vitro cell viability assays.
Comprised of discs of either Alvetex Scaffold or Alvetex Strata in individually sealed polystyrene inserts, designed to fit into most 6 well plates (see diagram).
6 well inserts can also be suspended in a deep Petri dish using our custom-made Alvetex Well Insert Holder (see product AVP015, sold separately).
The presentation of Alvetex in well insert formats is versatile, enabling long term 3D culture as cells can receive nutrients from media above and below the membrane, sustaining optimal 3D cell growth.
Comprised of discs of either Alvetex Scaffold or Alvetex Strata in individually sealed polystyrene inserts, designed to fit into most 6 well and 12 well plates (see diagram).
12 well inserts (when their extender wings haven’t been snapped off) can also be suspended in a deep Petri dish using our custom-made Alvetex Well Insert Holder (see product AVP015, sold separately).
The presentation of Alvetex in well insert formats is versatile, enabling long term 3D culture as cells can receive nutrients from media above and below the membrane, sustaining optimal 3D cell growth.
Comprised of discs of Alvetex Scaffold in individually sealed polystyrene inserts, designed to fit into most 12 well and 24 well plates (see diagram).
The presentation of Alvetex in well insert formats is versatile, enabling long term 3D culture as cells can receive nutrients from media above and below the membrane, sustaining optimal 3D cell growth.
24 well inserts are sterile blister packed in units of 12 within a 12 well plate.
Comprised of a single well insert holder in a deep Petri dish with lid. The well insert holder is capable of housing up to three Alvetex well inserts (either 6 or 12 well inserts). The Petri dish itself is not tissue culture treated.
The Alvetex Well Insert Holder and Deep Petri Dish enables users to grow their 3D cultures in larger volumes of media compared to an ordinary multiwell plate, facilitating fewer media changes. Capable of sustaining long term 3D culture experiments (3-4 weeks).
The well insert can be positioned at three different levels in the insert holder: high, medium and low. This feature allows cultures to be raised to the air liquid interface by moving the insert to a different level within the same holder.
Positioning the well inserts at different levels may also be used to conserve expensive media or allow for increasing media volumes for demanding cell types over the course of a long term experiment.
Well inserts at different holder levels:
This product allows scientists to create cell based models that are another step closer to the environment experienced by cells and tissue in vivo. The systems can also be used to create complex co-cultures, multi-organ systems and to study paracrine effects.
Each unit contains an Alvetex Perfusion Plate with a lid and two Luer locks.
Note: Pump and tubing is not included.
SERVICES:
Bioengineered 3D Tissue Models
(REPROCELL preclinical & drug discovery CRO services using Alvetex.)
