The truly biological barrier model
Membrick
Biological membrane for biomimetic cell culture
Familiar format for easy handling
Optically clear for in situ imaging
Familiar Form, Revolutionary Function
- 1. Seed Cells
-
Seed cells onto either side of the membrane
- 2. Culture & Monitor
-
Monitor in situ with brightfield & fluorescence microscopy
- 3. End Point Analysis
-
Easy cryosectioning or cell removal for analysis like FACS or RNA isolation
The Membrick works with your existing workflow and assays, but it offers the ability to monitor cells in situ during culture using inverted brightfield or fluorescent microscopy, saving time, cells, and replicates.
Live Imaging
HPVECs in culture on Membricks. Top: In situ brightfield imaging. Bottom: In situ immunofluorescent imaging with CD31 staining (endothelial marker) on day 12 on Membrick vs. plastic (PET) cell culture inserts. Scale bars 100 μm. Kreuder et al., 2020. CC4.0.
The optically clear membrane allows for in situ imaging of cells in culture. This provides an alternative to performing end-point analysis at each time-point, reducing the number of replicates, cells, and the time needed for experimentation.
The Membrick is fully compatible with ubiquitously available inverted microscopes, unlocking high-throughput applications.
Barrier Formation
BeWo (placental cell line) and HVMF (placental fibroblasts) in mono- and co-culture over 7 days. Left: transepithelial/transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER). Right: Permeability rate of lucifer yellow through the membrane and cell layers. Kreuder et al., 2020. CC4.0.
TEER Measurements
Results show that the co-culture of BeWo and HVMF cells exhibits a stronger barrier formation than the sum of either cell type in monoculture, demonstrating the power of the Membrick for co-culture models.
Permeability Assays
In a culture containing BeWo cells (which are expected to be responsible for barrier formation) the permeability rate of lucifer yellow is dramatically lower. A co-culture with HVMFs further reduces permeability.
End-Point Analysis
Top: HPVECs stained for von Willebrand factor and CD31 (endothelial markers) on day 12, scale bar 100 μm. Middle: BeWo (placental line) stained for β-catenin (cell-cell adhesion) on day 5, scale bar 50 μm. Bottom: HPVECs stained for vascular endothelial cadherin (tight junctions), scale bar 25 μm. Kreuder et al., 2020. CC4.0.
Cryosectioning and Staining
Easily cryosection and perform (immuno)histological staining on the biological membrane.
In the top and bottom images here, more robust endothelial marker and tight junction expression can be seen on the Membrick's biomimetic membrane, as compared to a plastic (PET) cell culture insert.
Cell Removal & Analysis
Remove cells via trypsinization for endpoint analysis (FACS or DNA/RNA isolation/sequencing).
Compatible with Existing Assays
Barrier Evaluation
Permeability Assays
Transepithelial/transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER)
Imaging
Brightfield Microscopy
Fluorescent Microscopy
Confocal Microscopy
Two Photon Microscopy
Cell Analysis
RNA/DNA Sequencing
qPCR
Metabolic Assays
FACS