CytoSoft® T-25 Flasks

Description

This CytoSoft^® T-25 Flask product has a defined elastic modulus (see certificate of analysis) in the bottom of a standard T-25 Flask.  The thickness of the silicone gel is uniform with a ~0.5 mm thick layer of silicone in each well that is fully compatible with mammalian cell cultures. The silicone gels are activated and ready to bind to a purified ECM, such as PureCol^® type I collagen (#5005) prior to cell addition. The plates are packaged sterilized, and provided with 10 flasks per package.

The rigidity of the substrate to which cells adhere can have a profound effect on cell morphology and gene expression. CytoSoft^® products provide a tool to culture cells on substrates with various rigidities covering a broad physiological range.  On the bottom of each well, there is a thin layer of specially formulated biocompatible silicone, whose elastic modulus (rigidity) is carefully measured and certified. The surfaces of the gels in CytoSoft^® products are functionalized to form covalent bonds with amines on proteins.  This chemical functionalization is stable and the reaction does not require a catalyst, facilitating the coating of the gel surfaces with matrix proteins and plating cells.

The silicone substrates of CytoSoft^® products are optically clear and have a low auto-florescence. The layer of silicone in each well is firmly bonded to the bottom of the well. Unlike hydrogels (such as polyacrylamide gels), silicone gels are not susceptible to hydrolysis, do not dry nor swell, are resilient and resistant to tearing or cracking, and their elastic moduli (rigidities) remain nearly unchanged during extended storage periods.

CytoSoft^® products accommodate the harvesting of cells using enzymes such as trypsin and collagenase. There is no biochemical breakdown of the substrate during or after enzyme treatment, and there are no residuals of the substrate in the sample retrieved from the CytoSoft T-25 flask.