Flexcell® Cell Stretching Bioreactors & Cultureware
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We provide solutions for life science research. Flexcell® designs, develops and manufactures dynamic cell stretching culture systems and disposables.
See The Flexcell® Difference
Flexcell® has spent over three decades focusing on creating products utilizing vacuum pressure technology to stimulate cells in culture, which is relevant to the detection and response of cells to physical forces through signaling pathways, crucial for advancing therapies and drugs.
Mechanically Active Products
Our Cell Culture Systems are used with patent-designed flexible-bottom disposables, strain accessories and microscopy devices by mechanical load type. Browse all products by system type.
System Applications
In vitro models, tissue engineering, and drug discovery applications play a crucial role in advancing scientific knowledge and improving medical interventions.
In Vitro Modeling
Flexcell® Dynamic Bioreactor Systems enhance in vitro modeling in various fields such as osteoarthritis, osteogenesis, cardiac tissue engineering, lung injury, traumatic brain injury, tendinopathy, cartilage repair, muscle hypertrophy, pulmonary fibrosis, cardiovascular disease, bioengineered tissues, cancer metastasis, glaucoma, endothelial dysfunction, and wound healing. Empirically observed changes in gene/protein expression, mechanosensitive receptors, cell signaling pathways, ion channels (Piezo1, Piezo2, Ca+), and cell behavior can be achieved in a mechanically active environment.
Tissue Engineering
Our Tissue Train® 3D Cell Culture System enables mechanical loading of 3D cell-seeded hydrogel constructs. These products enable the development of bioengineered constructs, advancing our understanding of disease mechanisms and tissue repair. With flexible membrane disposables that mimic native tissue stiffnesses, our cell culture plates offer groundbreaking solutions for tissue engineering. CellSoft® soft substrates have proven effective for sensitive cell lines prolonging phenotype senescence, improving bioprocessing and regenerative medicine applications.
Drug Discovery
Flexcell® Dynamic Bioreactor Systems create optimal environments that closely mimic the human body, providing valuable insights into cellular metabolism and disease pathways. For example, the presence of mechanical forces in tumors has significant implications for physiological response and the effectiveness of therapeutic agents, notably to decrease cell proliferation, cell survival and the efficacy of chemotherapy. Data suggests that considering mechanical forces in the development of screening assays could improve antitumor drug discovery efforts.
Clients Testimonials
"The study of fluid shear as a driving force for cell migration, i.e., "flowtaxis", and investigation of molecular mechanosensors governing such behavior (e.g., ROCK as tested in this study) may provide new and improved insights into the fundamental understanding of cell migration-based homeostasis. The flow regimens could be controlled by the peristaltic pump and the Osci-Flow device, which were governed by StreamSoft v. 4.1 software provided by Flexcell® International Corp."
College of Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, USA
"Cells were seeded on flexible silicone-bottom plates (Flexcell® Tension System) at a density of 3 × 105 cells per well. Pathologically elevated cyclic stretch increased the secretion of miR-27a, which was transferred from VSMCs to ECs via the VSMC-MPs, subsequently targeted GRK6, and induced EC proliferation. Locally decreasing miR-27a could be a novel therapeutic approach to attenuate the abnormal EC proliferation in hypertension."
"A Flexcell® Compression Plus system was used to enable longer-term compression of multicellular aggregates (MCAs) in custom-designed hydrogel carriers. Results show changes in the expression of genes related to epithelial-mesenchymal transition as well as altered dispersal of compressed MCAs on collagen gels."
"We systematically investigated the influence of static and intermittent cyclic uniaxial strain mechanical stimulation, in combination with transforming growth factor-β3 (TGF-β3) supplementation, on tenogenic differentiation of hBMSCs. Cyclic mechanical stimulation for tenogenic differentiation of hBMSCs was applied by the use of a Flexcell® FX-4000T Tension System using Linear Tissue Train® culture plates. Vacuum was applied over Trough Loaders™ 6-well posts for hydrogel loading between the anchor stems using a hydrogel volume of 50 μl/well. This data provide new insights into how TGF-β3 and mechanical stimulation regulate MSC tenogenesis, with TGF-β3 promoting the expression of key tenogenic genes whilst mechanical stimulation aided matrix deposition in the engineered tissue."
Get In Touch
At Flexcell® International Corporation, we understand that our commitment to the highest quality products and customer service are core to our business. Reach out to us today to see how we can apply those principals to your business.
Featured Publications
We invite you to read more about our ongoing research and development on cell stretching bioreactors in tissue engineering, cellular mechanics, gene and protein expression, cytomechanics, drug discovery, orthopedics, cardiovascular, and pulmonary research.
