Cultrex™ Ultimatrix RGF BME Facilitates Generation of 3D Mini Livers
"(Cultrex) UltiMatrix was a reliable and convenient choice for various 3D cell culture workflows in our laboratory."
- Roland Remenyi, Head – Biomedical Research Unit, Clinical and Translational Research Institute, Philippines
Could you please describe your current research focus?
We would like to generate 3D mini-livers for infection studies (e.g., dengue virus) and drug discovery efforts in the Philippines.
Which R&D Systems product(s) are you using in your research?
Cultrex Ultimatrix Reduced Growth Factor Basement Membrane Extract (BME001)
How did Cultrex Ultimatrix RGF BME perform for you?
Cultrex Ultimatrix RGF BME was an excellent hydrogel for our 3D cell culture applications. Its ease of handling allowed the smooth execution of our time-sensitive workflows involving live cells as it maintained its viscosity throughout our experiments. The hydrogel’s simple thermal polymerization process, which involves placing the gel in a 37°C incubator, ensured the viability of the cells used in our tissue culture laboratory. Training new staff to use Cultrex Ultimatrix was straightforward due to its user-friendly properties. Additionally, it was easy to store and aliquot the product in 1.5 ml microcentrifuge tubes, as it remained viscous at temperatures below 15°C without polymerizing, and its performance remained consistent even after long-term storage at -80°C.
Overall, UltiMatrix was a reliable and convenient choice for various 3D cell culture workflows in our laboratory, and we believe the same may be true in other laboratories, especially those without access to bioprinters.
We presented a preliminary analysis of our Cultrex Ultimatrix data at the 2024 PSCB Conference in Manila.
Progression of spheroid formation inside Cultrex UltiMatrix domes. Spheroid formation was monitored for 15 days. Cells were observed to aggregate from Day 5 onwards. The formed spheroids varied in size and shape, but their form mainly was spherical.
How did Cultrex Ultimatrix RGF BME help advance your research?
Our laboratory’s use of Cultrex Ultimatrix increased dramatically when our bioprinter encountered a pump failure and was out of order for a few months. Luckily, we could still fall back on Cultrex Ultimatrix as an alternative platform for 3D tissue culture. Biotechne’s free sample program allowed us to obtain the product in advance, and we could quickly pivot to testing the hydrogel for its suitability as an alternative. Once we confirmed the suitability, the ordering process through our local supplier in the Philippines was very straightforward.
How was your overall experience working with the Bio-Techne team?
The sales and technical support have been great. The free sample program helped us determine the suitability of the product. For technical concerns, we initially contact our local representative who handles all inquiries for Bio-Techne. Our concerns are then forwarded to a technical support expert in Singapore, who can then provide us with suggestions and references. There is also a yearly technology symposium where we can meet with these international experts face-to-face. Lastly, there have been a few site visits to our laboratory whenever the international experts visit the Philippines (about once a quarter). We look forward to officially collaborating with Bio-Techne on a technical workshop, which could help highlight some of the products we routinely use in the lab and help share this technical knowledge with other interested labs in the Philippines.