Cell types such as smooth muscle cells, some primary cells and cardiac fibroblasts are difficult to cultivate on glass. Since the regular tissue structure is not rigid, these cells require softer surrounding surfaces. Processes such as differentiation, formation of protein complexes and cell morphology are strongly dependent on the elasticity module of the surface.
In cooperation with scientists from the Jülich research centre, ibidi have managed to establish an elastic soft surface that combines the requirements of low rigidity for in vivo-like cell cultivation and modern imaging. The new elastic supported surfaces (ESS Slide) allow the cultivation of heart or retina cells as well as allowing microscopic evaluation via fluorescence microscopy.
