Description
This Imaging Plate comes with 1 glass-bottom 24-well plate for high resolution imaging of cells, wich is a tool to culture cells on PDMS substrates with various rigidity covering a broad physiological range, including 0.2, 0.5, 2, 8, 16, 32, and 64 kPa. The silicone gels are activated and ready to bind to a purified ECM, such as Type I Bovine Atelocollagen Solution (#CDAD59) prior to cell addition. Imaging plate is for high-resolution imaging where low autofluorescence and exceptional optical clarity are required. Plate consists of a 175 µm thin polycarbonate film-bottom plate bonded with a black polystyrene frame and includes a lid. The plates are sterilized using ozone and provided with 1 plate per package. On the bottom of each well, there is a thin layer of specially formulated biocompatible silicone, whose elastic modulus (rigidity) is carefully measured and certified. The thickness of the silicone gel is uniform with a ~0.03 mm thick layer of silicone in each well. The surfaces of the gels in Imaging Plates are functionalized to form covalent bonds with amines on proteins. The chemical functionalization is stable and the reaction does not require a catalyst, facilitating coating of the gel surfaces with matrix proteins and plating cells. The silicone substrates are optically clear and have a near zero auto-florescence. The layer of silicone in each well is firmly bonded to the bottom of the well. Unlike hydrogels (such as polyacrylamide gels), silicone gels are not susceptible to hydrolysis, do not dry or swell, are resilient and resistant to tearing or cracking, and their elastic moduli (rigidities) remain nearly unchanged during extended storage times. Imaging plates accommodate live cell staining using membrane and cell permeable dyes; fixation of cells using common techniques such as paraformaldexyde; and immunostaining of fixed cells. This product is for R&D use only and is not intended for human or other uses