Extracellular Matrix Proteins

Using extracellular matrices (ECM) and proteins in culture can provide cells with a more physiologically relevant environment giving more realistic morphology and intercellular interactions.

Cells in-vivo exist in a 3D environment surrounded by other cells, membranes and proteins but culturing in vitro on flat plastic surfaces gives rise to artificial 2D layers. Using extracellular matrices (ECM) and proteins can provide cells with a more physiologically relevant environment giving more realistic morphology and intercellular interactions. The most common ECM protein is collagen which facilitates cell attachment, differentiation, migration and tissue morphogenesis.

Cellmatrix collagen solutions are specifically designed for a variety of tissue culture techniques from coating culture surfaces to creating collagen gel interfaces or embedded cultures. Collagen Type I (acid soluble or pepsin-solubilised), Type III and Type IV are available in convenient liquid formats and have been successfully used with a number of cultures including alveolar and proximal tubule epithelial cells.