Third party collaborations have successfully demonstrated the versatility of OptiCell for use in a broad range of applications for which traditional disposable cell culture devices are not suited
An article titled 'Cell Culture Advances Enable Better Biology', in the 1 January 2006, issue of Genetic Engineering News raises issues associated with the need for better cell culture - processes that more closely model in vivo conditions, reduced contamination, devices for material storage and transfer, and turnkey media-to-cell culture packaging.
OptiCell addresses all of these needs, says Biocrystal OptiCell comprises a hermetically sealed sterile chamber formed by two gas-permeable, transparent membranes sealed onto a microtiter plate-size plastic frame.
The film permits differential O2 and CO2 exchange between the atmosphere and the internal chamber space in a ratio that is optimal for proper maintenance of the aerobic metabolism of cells, and a balanced pH in the cell culture medium.
OptiCell is accessible through integrated self-sealing ports that provide a sterile fluid path to the chamber interior.
OptiCell's patented design and construction make it the ideal tool for cell culture and subsequent procedures including in situ microscopy, time lapse studies, in situ immunocytostaining, transfections, single-cell cloning, and shipping live cells - direct from incubator to mailer to incubator.
Cells are in contact with media at all times, facilitating OptiCell's use in automated cell culture practices.
OptiCell offers the ability to separate and scale up a selected cell population in the same sterile environment.
OptiCell is also well suited for continuous, laboratory-scale antibody production.
BioCrystal will collaborate with others in developing bioreagent-coupled OptiCell products that offer the means to simplify and streamline cell culture practices.
BioCrystal will feature OptiCell at the AACR Meetingin Washington DC 1-5 April 2006.
Formed in 1996, BioCrystal brought together an interdisciplinary science group into a business structure committed to the development of novel products for applications in the life sciences and clinical medicine.
BioCrystal has been awarded 40 patents in three technology areas: compounds and procedures for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer; cell culture practices and products (OptiCell); and nanocrystalline fluorescent markers (BioPixels) for intracellular detection and analysis.
Invitrogen acquired the BioPixels business unit in 2005.
