The Development of Alvetex^®

Cells that make up tissues in the body possess a complex three dimensional (3D) architecture which is markedly different from the flat monolayer structure of their cultured counterparts, commonly grown on the two-dimensional (2D) surface of tissue culture plasticware. The 3D structure of cells and their interactions with neighbouring cells significantly influences their ability to grow and function normally.

Reinnervate has produced a scaffold that provides an environment for routine 3D cell culture. Alvetex^® is a thin membrane of micro-cellular polymer with a well defined and uniformed architecture. It is made from inert polystyrene using emulsion templating and its porosity has been tailored to support 3D cell culture.

The architecture of the emulsion-templated polystyrene scaffold is revealed below using scanning electron microscopy. The structure is highly porous and consists of 36-40 µm diameter voids linked to one another by pores.

The polystyrene scaffold is initially cast as a monolith which is then subsequently sliced into 200 micron thick membranes ready for mounting into culture apparatus. The scanning electron microscope image below shows the edge of such a membrane. Note the scale bar for reference.

Alvetex^® 3D cell culture products present the familiar polystyrene substrate to cells but in a way that allows them to maintain their native cell structure and morphology. Different formats such as multi-well plates and well inserts and devices for long-term culture in large volumes of media make alvetex^® the most flexible scaffold solution currently available

No additional equipment is needed to use alvetex^® for routine 3D cell culture. It is supplied sterile and ready for use with existing cell culture media, plates and incubators.

Reinnervate have exemplified the application of this technology by growing a broad selection of different cell types on these 3D supports and demonstrate enhanced functional activity compared to cells grown under identical conditions on 2D culture plastic. See our publications and image library.