The surface you select for your precoated cultureware affects cell morphology, phenotype, and function, so it's essential that you get it right for upstream and downstream cell culture applications. By using the optimal cell type surface in your research, you can control variables in experimental data, more closely mimic in vivo conditions, promote cell growth, and achieve the desired endpoints.
Surface selection, though, isn't always straightforward. The options seem endless, and many have overlapping characteristics. It can be hard to determine what works best for your needs. This guide can help.
3 Surface Categories to Know
When selecting the right cultureware for your work, it's important to understand the three extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins used as coatings: natural, mimetic, and synthetic.
- Natural coatings include ECMs and biologically coated surfaces, which help scientists mimic in vivo environments for 2D and 3D cultures. Options include collagen, laminin, or surfaces such as Corning® Matrigel® Matrix.
- Mimetic coatings include ECM mimetic and advanced surfaces, which can support specialized cell expansion and assay applications via unique functional surface activity. Mostly applied in cell therapies, mimetic coatings use a small portion of the synthesized protein to support binding.
- Synthetic coatings include enhanced tissue surfaces that modify cultureware with positive, negative, or positive-negative charges, depending on cell type. Synthetic coatings can promote the attachment and growth of fastidious cell types, including primary or transfected cell lines in low- or serum-free environments.