CytoSoft^®

The rigidity of the substrate to which cells adhere can have a profound effect on cell morphology and gene expression. CytoSoft^® products provide a tool to culture cells on substrates with various rigidities covering a broad physiological range. On the bottom of each well, there is a thin layer of specially formulated biocompatible silicone, whose elastic modulus (rigidity) is carefully measured. The surfaces of the gels in CytoSoft^® products are functionalized to form covalent bonds with amines on proteins. This chemical functionalization is stable and the reaction does not require a catalyst, facilitating the coating of the gel surfaces with matrix proteins and plating cells.

The silicone substrates of CytoSoft^® products are optically clear and have a low auto-florescence. The layer of silicone in each well is firmly bonded to the bottom of the well. Unlike hydrogels (such as polyacrylamide gels), silicone gels are not susceptible to hydrolysis, do not dry nor swell, are resilient and resistant to tearing or cracking, and their elastic moduli (rigidities) remain nearly unchanged during extended storage periods.

CytoSoft^® products accommodate the harvesting of cells using enzymes such as trypsin and collagenase. There is no biochemical breakdown of the substrate during or after enzyme treatment, and there are no residuals of the substrate in the sample retrieved from a CytoSoft^® plate.

This CytoSoft^® product, Catalog Number 5143, has an elastic modulus of approximately 16 kPa in a standard flat-bottom 6-well plate. The thickness of the silicone gel is uniform with a ~0.5 mm thick layer of silicone in each well that is fully compatible with mammalian cell cultures. The plates are packaged individually, sterilized using irradiation and provided with 5 plates per package.

CytoSoft is a registered trademark of Advanced BioMatrix, Inc.