Extracel™ Hydrogel Kit
Extracel™ is recommended as a starting point for optimization of a cell's microenvironment since it contains Gelin-S™. Gelin-S, or thiolated gelatin (denatured collagen), allows attachment of a wide variety of cell types and takes the guesswork out of the appropriate attachment factor to use.
Extracel™ Hydrogel Kits have proven optimal for culturing primary cells and cell lines in 3-D. Extracel™ hydrogels provide maximum versatility for research. Unlike an animal-derived extracellular matrix (ECM), Extracel™ is chemically defined. The hydrogels are based on three biocompatible components: thiol-modified hyaluronan (a major constituent of native ECM), thiol-modified gelatin (denatured collagen), and a thiol-reactive crosslinker, polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA). Extracel™ hydrogels can be customized by adding ECM proteins and by varying the hydrogel compliance to match the stiffness of native tissues.
Gelation
Reconstituted Extracel™ components remain liquid at 15 to 37°C. The hydrogel is formed when the crosslinking agent, Extralink™ (PEGDA) is added to a mixture of Glycosil™ (thiol-modified hyaluronan) and Gelin-S™ (thiol-modified gelatin). Gelation occurs in about twenty minutes after all three components are mixed. No steps depend on low temperatures or low pH. Diluting the components with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) or cell-culture medium can increase the gelation time.
Flexibility
Extracel™ allows customization of experiments:
- dimensionality (3-D encapsulation or 2-D plating on top of hydrogel)
- cell-growth format (96- to 6-well plates and/or tissue-culture inserts)
- amount and type of ECM protein incorporated
- hydrogel stiffness
3D Cell Recovery Matrix
The Extracel Hydrogel is also available with a novel crosslinker which enables the gel to be broken down for easy encapsulated cell recovery. At checkout simply select PEGSSDA as your crosslinker.