Gelatex - Revolutionising the production of nanofibers - distributed in the UK & Ireland by Caltag Medsystems
Gelatex: Maintain the in vivo morphology of your cells and improve the relevance of your research.
Gelatex Technologies was created in 2016 when their founders participated in the Climate Launchpad competition and won with the idea of producing leather-like textiles by using gelatin nanofibers and other materials. In 2020, after realising the full potential of nanofibers, Gelatex decided to pivot from leather-like textiles to producing nanofibrous materials for cultured meat, tissue engineering, advanced medical applications, and other sustainable uses.
They provide products for 3D cell culture and tissue engineering, and services for customised solutions.
Gelacell™
Gelatex Technologies is the manufacturer of Gelacell™, a non-woven highly porous scaffold that is specially designed for in vitro 3D cell culture and tissue engineering. Gelacell™ is produced using patented halospinning technology – the world's fastest and most cost-effective solution-spinning process.
Gelacell™ is designed with a unique nanofibrous structure that closely mimics the natural extracellular matrix. Gelacell™ offers exceptional biocompatibility and non-toxicity across a variety of cell types and has uses in long term 3D cell culture platforms, short to medium term 3D cell culture platforms and tissue engineering/organoid scaffolds.
Gelatex's Gelacell™ products are available in 4 formats:
Well Plate with Scaffolds:
- 24 well plate with scaffolds fixed on PET discs.
- For short to medium term 3D cell culture.
- Available as 24 PLLA well plate with randomly oriented fibres or aligned.
Well Plate with Cell Crowns:
- 6, 12 or 24 well plates with scaffolds on cell crowns.
- For long term 3D cell culture.
- Available from PLLA, PLGA, PLGA:PCL, PCL, gelatin and chitosan with randomly oriented fibres or aligned.
Inserts:
- Scaffold inserts to fit existing 6, 12 and 24 well plates.
- For short to medium term 3D cell culture.
- Available from PLLA, PLGA, PLGA:PCL, PCL, gelatin and chitosan with randomly oriented fibres or aligned.
Scaffold Sheets:
- 10 x 10 cm single scaffold sheet.
- For tissue engineering.
- Available from PLLA, PLGA, PLGA:PCL, PCL, gelatin and chitosan with randomly oriented fibres or aligned.
Gelacell™ 3D Cell Culture Advantages vs. Conventional 2D Cell Culture Systems
- Acts as an in-vitro extracellular matrix.
- Preserves the natural cell structure.
- Enhances cell-to-cell and cell-to-matrix interactions.
- Supports optimal cell differentiation.
- Porous structure facilitates nutrient diffusion.
- Protects cells during laboratory practices.
Morphological Differences
In traditional 2D in vitro systems, cells tend to flatten and stretch in a monolayer, creating stress and modifying their natural behaviour.
A 3D in vitro scaffold helps preserve the natural shape of the cells, reduces the stress conditions, retaining more of their original functions, surface activity, and natural complex interactions.
Possible Applications of Gelacell™
Cardiotoxicology
Aligned scaffolds improve structural and functional read-outs in cardiomyocytes, growing 3D cultures of spontaneously beating hiPSC-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) in well format. hiPSC-CMs grown on such aligned 3D plates showed statistically significantly higher Ca2+ transient rising slope (indicating faster kinetics), lower peak width durations, and lower amplitudes as compared to standard 2D tissue culture plates.
Drug Discovery in 3D Tissue Models
Cancer cells grown in more physiologically relevant 3D cultures have shown increased drug resistance compared to 2D systems. Nanofiber scaffolds have been successfully used as a matrix for numerous cancer cell models in 3D drug screening: liver, breast, ovarian & lung.
Toxicology Studies
Hep G2 liver cancer cells are often used as model cultures for toxicology studies in-vitro. Nanofiber scaffolds have proven to provide a suitable environment for liver cells.
Stem Cell Research
Differentiation of neural stem cells into mature neurons within nanofiber scaffolds.
Gelacell™ by Gelatex – Standard Operating Procedure
Halospinning Technology – HaloSpin™
Gelatex has invented a novel high-capacity solution-spinning technology for nanofiber manufacturing called halospinning – a nozzle-based non-electrostatic field solution-spinning method which is fundamentally faster than electrospinning. It allows for the continuous production of nanofibers, which also reduces costs. The patent US 11,697,892 describes the method and device for the production of polymer fibres.
Morphological Benefits of Halospun Nanofibers
- High surface-to-volume ratio– Halospun nanofibers have an extremely high surface-to-volume ratio, enhancing cell attachment, growth, and differentiation.
- Biomimicry– Nanofibers can effectively mimic the extracellular matrix of various tissues, providing a more natural environment for cells.
- Enhanced cell interactions– Halospun nanofibers promote superior cell-to-cell and cell-to-fibre interactions, encouraging the formation of 3D cell networks.
- Porosity– Nanofiber’s interconnected porous structure facilitates efficient nutrient and oxygen transport to cells, critical for cell survival and proliferation.
- Customisable– Fiber diameter, alignment, and density can be controlled during the halospinning process, allowing for customisation to suit specific cell types and applications.
- Flexibility in material selection– Halospun nanofibers can be made from a variety of natural and synthetic polymers, allowing for a range of mechanical and chemical properties to suit different cell culture needs.
The 3D Structure Created by Halospinning Closely Mimics the Natural Extracellular Matrix
