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View additional product information for Nunc™ Multidishes with UpCell™ Surface - FAQs (174901, 174898, 174899, 174900)
13 product FAQs found
The UpCell Surface is composed of a covalently bound polymer that changes from being slightly hydrophobic to being very hydrophilic when the temperature is reduced to less than 32 degrees C. This results in the binding of water to the surface, swelling of the surface, and finally the release of the cells.
The temperature-responsive polymer is covalently bound to the polystyrene dish or plate and will not detach from the product under normal cell culture procedures and conditions. The products have successfully passed the USP biological reactivity class VI testing.
The “UpCell surface with grid” products have a 3 x 3 mm grid design over the entire culture surface. Cell attachment and growth is restricted to within these small squares, preventing cells from clumping, and enabling easier harvest of the cells as single cells or small cell clusters. Products with “UpCell surface with grid” are suitable for the preparation of cells for flow cytometry analysis but cannot be used for cell-sheet applications. We offer 60 mm and 100 mm dishes with “UpCell surface with grid” whereas the 35 mm dishes contain supportive membrane for harvesting of cell sheets.
You can use the UpCell Surface with many cell types, including fibroblasts, mesenchymal stem cells, myocytes, keratinocytes, macrophages, and different epithelium and tumor cells. If cells do not detach spontaneously from the UpCell surface by lowering of the temperature to below 32 degrees C, the cells can be detached by flushing the surface with medium or by tapping on the side of the dish or plate. Cells that produce a lot of extracellular matrix and attach very strongly to the UpCell surface may be difficult to detach by temperature reduction alone. For these cell types, the simultaneous use of diluted trypsin is recommended.
Coating of the UpCell surface with biomolecules, for example, collagen, fibronectin, poly-lysine and laminin, is possible and should be done if you experience difficulties in attaching your cells to the UpCell surface. The coating procedure should be performed at 37 degrees C.
The protocol for the detachment of cell sheets may need to be optimized for the cell type that you are using, particularly the degree of confluence at harvest, and the detachment conditions (temperature and incubation times).
It is essential to use a supporting membrane when collecting the cells as a cell sheet from the UpCell Surface. However, you can use a hygroscopic PVDF membrane as an alternative to the supporting membrane supplied with the product (Cat. Nos. 174901 and 174904). Please note that the optimal protocol may vary, depending on the type of membrane used.
Yes, the hydrophilicity of the UpCell Surface is constant below 32 degrees C. We recommend performing the detachment in a temperature-controlled, sterile environment. The detachment time would depend on the time it takes for the culture to be cooled down to less than 32 degrees C, as well as the cell type used.
Detachment of cells from the UpCell surface occurs when the temperature of the culture is reduced below 32 degrees C. To avoid undesired cell detachment during handling, the following should be kept in mind:
- Use pre-warmed medium when changing the culture medium
- Observations under a microscope should be kept short to prevent cooling
The UpCell surface is stable when standard cell culture conditions are applied, but scratching of the surface, for example, with a pipette tip, should be avoided, as this can impair the temperature-responsive properties of the product.
Nunc cultureware with UpCell Surface are intended for single-use only. Cell-secreted and medium-derived components may adsorb to the surface during cell culture and compromise performance with repeated use.
Nunc cultureware with UpCell Surface should be stored at room temperature (20-25 degrees C) away from direct sunlight.
The Nunc UpCell surface comprises a temperature-responsive polymer that is covalently immobilized to the polystyrene surface of the culture area. The polymer becomes slightly hydrophobic above 32 degrees C, allowing cells to adhere. Below 32 degrees C, the polymer becomes hydrophilic, resulting in the binding of water to the surface and swelling of the surface, prompting cell detachment from the surface.