PeptiGel® Technology
PeptiGels® peptide hydrogels are fully synthetic and spontaneously self-assemble to form 3D nano-fibrous hydrogels that mimic the native extracellular matrix (ECM). The mechanical stiffness of these hydrogels is modulated and matches the stiffness of most tissue types. The fibre surfaces can be (bio)chemically functionalised with several biomimetic peptide sequences from key ECM proteins that are proven to signal and enhance biological processes. These include RGD (fibronectin), IKVAV (laminin), YIGSR (laminin) and GFOGER (collagen).
The ability to tune the properties of the peptide hydrogels to provide the optimal environment for your cells’ needs, makes them the ideal synthetic alternative to animal derived matrices such as Matrigel™, Geltrex™ and collagen.
As peptides are the building blocks of nature, PeptiGels® are inherently biocompatible and provide a suitable environment for cells to survive and thrive
Core technology benefits
- Animal and pathogen free - PeptiGels® are fully synthetic and animal product free. They are 100% ethical. They are formulated to closely mimic a range of human tissues and in-vivo environments, thus increasing translatability to humans.
- Reproducible - PeptiGels® are manufactured in a dedicated facility with rigorous quality control ensuring consistent product quality. This gives you confidence that you will achieve the same results each time, providing enhanced data quality and reliability.
- Mechanically tuneable - PeptiGels® come in a range of mechanical strengths and viscosities enabling you to optimise the scaffold for your cells’ and bioprinting needs. The range of stiffness’ available mimic all human tissue types and provide control over cell behaviour and fate.
- Biochemically functional - Bioactive peptide sequences can be incorporated within our peptide hydrogels to influence the dynamic interplay between cells and the ECM. This is done in a controlled and systematic way.
- Convenient and ready-to-use - PeptiGels® are supplied as ready-made hydrogels. There are no complex temperature or pH control steps required; you simply seed your cells at room temperature and get consistent results, saving you both time and hassle.
- Sprayable, injectable and printable - The shear-thinning properties of our hydrogels enables their flexible handling, opening up their use in high-throughput liquid handling systems and extrusion-based bioprinting. It also enables versatile delivery by injection, spray or endoscope for targeted drug delivery and cell therapies.
- Transparent - PeptiGels® are optically transparent making them compatible with imaging techniques to allow for live-cell imaging and real-time quantification of cell mobility.
- Clinically translatable - PeptiGels® are fully defined and their inherent biocompatibility (they are simple peptides) enables clinically translatable research.
PeptiGels® work - what researchers say
Webinar: How to Successfully Make the Switch to Synthetic Peptide Hydrogels
Professor Aline Miller (University of Manchester) and Sebastian Doherty-Boyd (University of Glasgow) discuss the difficulties in producing consistent cell culture results using traditional biomaterials, particularly animal-derived matrices with their inherent variability. They also discuss how to gain greater control over 2D and 3D cell culture with PeptiGels and cover specific examples of using PeptiGels to generate 3D tissue and disease models. Published: September 2023
Comparison of 2D cell culture and 3D cell culture with PeptiGel®
PeptiGels® can be used for 2D and 3D cell culture, and have been proven successful in supporting a range of application areas. See how they compare.
2D vs. 3D cell culture |
|
2D Cell Culture |
3D Cell Culture |
| Not representative of the in-vivo environment | Better simulation of the in-vivo environment |
| Altered cell-to-cell interactions and signalling | Enhanced cell-to-cell interactions and signalling |
| Need for animal testing for validation | Reduction in animal usage |
| Limited in its application areas | Wide-ranging applications e.g. integration of fluid flow and bioprinting |
| Lack of in-vivo predictivity | Reliable and relevant results |
| Simple to analyse | Improved method to model diseases |
| Well established | Not as widely explored |
Cell Compatibility
Gel type and demonstrated compatible cells |
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|
PeptiGel® Type |
Charge |
Stiffness (kPa) |
Biomimetic Functionality |
Demonstrated Compatible Primary Cells and Cell Lines |
|
Alpha 1 |
Neutral | 3 - 5 | None |
Adipose-derived stem cells, Chondrocytes, Dorsal root ganglion neurons, Breast MCF7, MCF10a, MDAMB231 and Breast EpH4, Schwann cells, Oesophageal, Fibroblast 3T3, Kidney HEK293, iPSCs, Ovary A2780 and SK-OV-3 |
| Alpha 2 | +1 | 6 - 8 | None | Adipose-derived stem cells, iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes, Chondrocytes, Dorsal root ganglion neurons, Liver HepG2, Pancreas Suit-2, Prostate PC3, Prostate pNT2, Ovary A2780 and SK-OV-3, Hepatic cells |
|
Alpha 2 Plus |
+1 | 6 - 8 | RGD & GFOGER | in vivo Neuronal |
| Alpha 4 | +2 | 0.7 - 1.3 | None | Mammary epithelial, Bone marrow-derived stem cells, Dermal fibroblasts, Colon organoids, Kidney organoids, Synovial cells, iPSCs, Fibroblasts 3T3 + L929, Muscle C2C12, Ovary A2780 and SK-OV-3, HUVECS |
| Alpha 4 Plus | +2 | 0.7 - 1.3 | RGD & GFOGER | Stromal fibroblasts, Ovary A2780 and SK-OV-3, Colon crypts |
| Alpha 8 | -3 | ~ 0.25 | None | Hepatic Cells |
| Delta 1 | Neutral | 3 - 5 | None | Mesenchymal Stem Cells |
| Gamma 2 | +1 | ~ 1.5 | None | Dorsal root ganglion neurons, Pancreas Suit-2, Hepatic cells, iPSC |
| Gamma 2 Plus | +1 | ~ 2.5 | RGD & GFOGER | Neuronal |
| Gamma 4 | +2 | 0.175 - 0.35 | None | For cells requiring a softer environment, including primary cells, immortalized cells and stem cells |
| Gamma 4 Plus | +2 | 0.175 - 0.35 | RGD & GFOGER | Spheroids and organoids |
View table sorted by PeptiGel-validated cell line (opens new window) |
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The stiffness values given here are indicative and have been measured by shear rheometry after 24 incubation in DMEM media.
PeptiGels® are easy to handle
