• What is VitroGel?

  VitroGel® is a xeno-free functional hydrogel system that closely mimics the natural extracellular matrix (ECM) environment. Modified with multiple cellular functional ligands, VitroGel allows for a robust 3D cell culture platform and can be used as an injectable delivery system for drug discovery, tissue engineering, cell therapy, and personalized medicine. VitroGel comes in two different variations, ready-to-use and high concentration. The ready-to-use VitroGel is a series of user-friendly fuPopular

• What is the chemical composition of the VitroGel?

  The hydrogel is a xeno-free synthetic polysaccharide-based hydrogel systemSome readers

• Which VitroGel hydrogel product should I choose?

  Ready-To-Use Hydrogel For many users, this is the preferred hydrogel system for many applications. It is a ready-to-use hydrogel where you need only to add your cells, cover medium, and incubate. The hydrogels come with different versions of optimized formulations for different cell types and applications: It is a ready-to-use hydrogel where you need only to add your cells, cover medium, and incubate. VitroGel Hydrogel Matrix (SKU: VHM01): a general-purpose hydrogel that is good for manySome readers

• Which VitroGel ORGANOID hydrogel should I choose for my organoid type?

  VitroGel® ORGANOID Discovery Kit The VitroGel® ORGANOID Discovery Kit includes the four different formulation types of VitroGel ORGANOID hydrogels: VitroGel® ORGANOID 1, VitroGel® ORGANOID 2, VitroGel® ORGANOID 3, and VItroGel® ORGANOID 4 Each of the four types has various bio-functional ligands, mechanical strengths, and degradability to fulfill the needs of different orgaSome readers

• What is the elastic modulus of ready-to-use gels?

  The elastic modulus of the ready-to-use VitroGel is about 100-300 Pa. Please keep in mind, the elastic modulus (G’) was tested by dynamic rheometer. The G’ is different than stiffness (Young’s modulus). A simple conversion between G’ and stiffness is 1:3 (100 Pa of G’ is about 300 Pa of stiffness). Therefore, the stiffness of ready-to-use VitroGel is about 300-900 Pa.Some readers

• Does VitroGel contain any natural ECM proteins like fibronectin, collagens, or laminins?

  VitroGel does not contain any natural ECM proteins. Scientists can add growth factors and proteins to the hydrogel system for a well-defined system.Some readers

• What is the difference between VitroGel Dilution Solution Type 1 and Type 2?

  VitroGel Dilution Solution Type 1 contains sucrose to maintain the best osmolarity. Dilution Type 2 is sucrose-free. For most cell lines, VitroGel Dilution Solution Type 1 is recommended. VitroGel Dilution Solution Type 2 is for scientists working with cells that are sensitive to sugar.Some readers

• What is the difference between VitroGel ORGANOID versions?

  The VitroGel ORGANOID has four different version which were formulated with various bio-functional ligands, mechanical strengths, and degradability to fulfill the needs of different organoid culture conditions.Some readers

• Which culture method should I choose?

  VitroGel hydrogel system is versatile for many applications. The hydrogel is flexible for multiple culture methods such as 3D cell culture, 2D hydrogel coating, static suspension culture, hydrogel-cell bead, and used as an injectable carrier. 3D Cell Culture: make a full cellular encapsulation in the hydrogel matrix and enhance the cell-hydrogel matrix interactions 2D Hydrogel Coating: allow cells to interact with/submerge into the functional hydrogel substance and maintain an exceFew readers

• How long can cells be grown in the VitroGel system?

  We have tested the growth of cells in the hydrogel system for more than eight weeks. Depending on the cell type and application, the 3D cell culture can last even longer. Scientists may need to change the cover media more frequently once the number and size of cells increases.Few readers

• What is the difference between hydrogel elastic modulus and hydrogel stiffness?

  We use the elastic modulus (G’) to represent the strength of VitroGel, which is tested by a dynamic rheometer. A simple conversion between the elastic modulus and stiffness is to calculate at 1:3 ratio. Fox example, if the hydrogel is 100 Pa in G’, which is equal to 300 Pa in stiffness. Therefore, the 4000 Pa G’ of VitroGel High Concentration is around 12,000 Pa in stiffness.Few readers

• Does VitroGel have viscoelastic properties?

  Yes, all VitroGel hydrogels are tested with a dynamic rheometer for viscoelastic properties. For VitroGel High Concentration hydrogels, the elastic modulus (G’) can be adjusted from 10 to 4,000 Pa by changing the hydrogel concentration with the VitroGel Dilution Solution.Few readers

• What is the pore size of VitroGel?

  The pore size of VitroGel is about 200-500 nm. The hydrogel is flexible, soft, so the cells can push the hydrogel matrix out and molecules can easily penetrate through the hydrogel matrix.Few readers

• Can I harvest cells after culturing with VitroGel?

  Yes, scientists can easily harvest cells with our enzyme-free, ready-to-use VitroGel Cell Recovery Solution in 20 minutes. VitroGel Cell Recovery Solution is room temperature stable with a neutral pH and has a operating temperature of 37°C. The cell harvesting solution can maintain high cell viability during the recovery process. Harvested cells can be further sub-cultured for both 2D and 3D. Additional information can be found here. (https://www.thewellbio.com/3d-cell-culture-hydrogel/cell-haFew readers

• What is the mechanical property of VitroGel? Can I adjust the stiffness?

  We test the elastic modulus (G’) of VitroGel with a dynamic rheometer. The G’ is dependent on the hydrogel dilution and the cell culture medium used. The G’ of non-diluted VitroGel High Concentration is around 4,000 Pa. If a higher hydrogel strength is required, please contact us at support@thewellbio.com for a customized hydrogel that can reach over 20k Pa. You can also check our BioInk product (VitroINK), which can reach the G’ over 45k Pa.Few readers

• Is there a distributor in my country? How can I purchase?

  If you are in the US, you can purchase online at our website. For outside the US, visit our distributors page. Distributors If we do not have a distributor in your country, please contact order@thewellbio.com. We can sell direct to a country that does not have a distributor.Few readers

• What is the elastic modulus of the high concentration/different dilution VitroGels?

  For VitroGel High Concentration hydrogels, the elastic modulus (G’) can be adjusted from 10 to 4,000 Pa by changing the hydrogel concentration with the VitroGel Dilution Solution. The G’ is about 4000 Pa at 1:0 dilution, 1200-2000 Pa at 1:1 dilution, 600-1000 Pa at 1:2 dilution, 200–500 Pa at 1:3 dilution, and < 500 Pa at dilution higher than 1:3.Few readers

• Is there a specific type of cell culture plate that should be used?

  No specific plate is required. Any regular tissue culture treated plate can be used.Few readers

• Does VitroGel have autofluorescence?

  VitroGel is a xeno-free system. We do not detect any autofluorescence in our various imaging testing. We recommend scientists perform a control experiment to determine background fluorescence.Few readers

• What are the different mechanical strengths between VitroGel ORGANOID versions?

  The mechanical strengths of different VitroGel ORGANOID hydrogel are in this order: VitroGel ORGANOID-3 VitroGel ORGANOID-4 VitroGel ORGANOID-2 VitroGel ORGANOID-1.Few readers

• Can VitroGel be used for both 3D culture and 2D hydrogel coating?

  Yes, VitroGel can support 3D cell culture, 2D thick gel coating and 2D thin gel coating culture. Embedding cells in the hydrogel matrix (3D cell culture) can maximize the cell-matrix interaction and potential cell-cell communication in response to different biophysical and biological properties of the hydrogel. Some cells are hard to culture in 3D and as a result, 2D coating is an alternative method for cell culture. 2D thick gel coating uses a layer of hydrogel to change the properties of theFew readers

• Is VitroGel biocompatible for in vivo study?

  Yes, VitroGel is biocompatible and safe for animal study.Few readers

• Will adjusting the temperature induce the hydrogel formation of VitroGel?

  Adjusting the temperature will not induce the hydrogel formation. VitroGel can maintain the liquid form at room temperature. The hydrogel formation can be induced by mixing with an ionic solution such as a cell culture medium. Increasing the temperature would reduce the viscosity of the hydrogel solution.Few readers

• Can molecules penetrate or diffuse through VitroGel?

  Yes. VitroGel supports the diffusion of molecules of different sizes from small molecules to big proteins (e.g., IgG). Drug compounds, antibodies, staining dyes can be added on the cover medium to penetrate the hydrogel. VitroGel can be mix with molecules for control release experiments.Few readers