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Microwell culture plates for easy and reproducible production of embryoid bodies and spheroids
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Overview
Protocols and Documentation
Find supporting information and directions for use in the Product Information Sheet or explore additional protocols below.
Applications
This product is designed for use in the following research area(s) as part of the highlighted workflow stage(s). Explore these workflows to learn more about the other products we offer to support each research area.
Resources and Publications
Educational Materials (13)
Publications (20)
Human pancreatic α-cell heterogeneity and trajectory inference analyses reveal SMOC1 as a β-cell dedifferentiation gene
Nature Communications 2025 Oct
Abstract
β-cell dysfunction and dedifferentiation towards an α-cell-like phenotype are hallmarks of type 2 diabetes. However, the cell subtypes involved in β-to-α-cell transition are unknown. Using single-cell and single-nucleus RNA-seq, RNA velocity, PAGA/cell trajectory inference, and gene commonality, we interrogated α-β-cell fate switching in human islets. We found five α-cell subclusters with distinct transcriptomes. PAGA analysis showed bifurcating cell trajectories in non-diabetic while unidirectional cell trajectories from β-to-α-cells in type 2 diabetes islets suggesting dedifferentiation towards α-cells. Ten genes comprised the common signature genes in trajectories towards α-cells. Among these, the α-cell gene SMOC1 was expressed in β-cells in type 2 diabetes. Enhanced SMOC1 expression in β-cells decreased insulin expression and secretion and increased β-cell dedifferentiation markers. Collectively, these studies reveal differences in α-β-cell trajectories in non-diabetes and type 2 diabetes human islets, identify signature genes for β-to-α-cell trajectories, and discover SMOC1 as an inducer of β-cell dysfunction and dedifferentiation. Subject terms: Cell signalling, Diabetes, Differentiation
Tailoring agarose fluid gels for use in suspension bath bioprinting and culture of spheroid-based bioinks
Biofabrication 2025 Oct
Abstract
Suspension bath bioprinting, whereby bioinks are extruded into a yield stress bath with rapid recovery from shearing, has enabled the printing of low viscosity bioinks into constructs with high geometric complexity. Previous studies have often relied upon external stabilisation of the suspension bath (e.g. collagen) in order to culture soft materials without loss of printed structure. Here, we report a systematic investigation of suspension bath properties that support the printing, fusion, and culture of spheroid-based bioinks without added stabilisation. Specifically, agarose fluid gels of varied polymer concentrations and dilutions were produced and characterised morphologically and rheologically. Juvenile bovine chondrocytes or mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) were formed into spheroids of ∼150 µ m in diameter and investigated within agarose suspension baths either for their fusion in hanging drop cultures or as jammed bioinks. MSC spheroids were also printed when mixed with hydrogel microparticles to demonstrate additional versatility to the approach. Suspension baths of lower polymer concentrations and increased dilution enabled faster spheroid fusion; however, the most heavily diluted suspension bath was unable to maintain print fidelity. Other formulations supported the printing, fusion, and culture of spheroid-based inks, either as simple lines or more complex patterns. These findings help to inform the design of suspension baths for bioprinting and culture.
Identification and isolation of human testicular peritubular myoid cells and Leydig cells by a combination of ITGA9 and NGFR
Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology : RB&E 2025 May
Abstract
Testicular somatic cells play an important role in supporting spermatogenesis. Leydig cells (LCs) and peritubular myoid cells (PTMs) originate from a common progenitor population and show similar expression signatures in adulthood, making it difficult to distinguish and isolate the two in vitro. In this study, new surface markers for identifying adult LCs (ALCs) and PTMs were discovered by reanalyzing testicular single-cell dataset. Differential expressions of ITGA9 and NGFR were confirmed through immunofluorescence staining of human testes. A novel Fluorescence activated Cell Sorting (FACS) protocol is established for the isolation of ALCs and PTMs based on the two markers. Long-term culture of both cells were performed and their characteristics were characterized and explored. ITGA9+ /NGFR + cells were positive for markers of PTMs (SMA, CNN1) and negative for markers of ALCs (HSD3B, STAR), and were able to form tubular and spheroid structures in vitro. In contrast, ITGA9-/NGFR + cells were positive for ALC markers and negative for PTM markers, and showed a capacity of testosterone production in vitro. Also, both cells were negative for Sertoli cell marker SOX9. When the two cells were cultured, they can expand for more than 15 passages. Our study established a novel and efficient method for identifying and isolating human ALCs and PTMs, which provides a great potential for researches of the two cell types in human. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12958-025-01389-w.
New look, same high quality and support! You may notice that your instrument or reagent packaging looks slightly different from images displayed on the website, or from previous orders. We are updating our look but rest assured, the products themselves and how you should use them have not changed. Learn more
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PRODUCTS ARE FOR RESEARCH USE ONLY AND NOT INTENDED FOR HUMAN OR ANIMAL DIAGNOSTIC OR THERAPEUTIC USES UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON QUALITY AT º£½ÇÆÆ½â°æ, REFER TO WWW.º£½ÇÆÆ½â°æ.COM/COMPLIANCE.
PRODUCTS ARE FOR RESEARCH USE ONLY AND NOT INTENDED FOR HUMAN OR ANIMAL DIAGNOSTIC OR THERAPEUTIC USES UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON QUALITY AT º£½ÇÆÆ½â°æ, REFER TO WWW.º£½ÇÆÆ½â°æ.COM/COMPLIANCE.






