Frequently Asked Questions
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Comprehensive answers to frequently asked questions about BMSEED’s products, services, and mission. Here, you'll find detailed information about our biotechnology solutions, research collaborations, and business development initiatives. Whether you are a researcher, business partner, or a potential collaborator, this page addresses inquiries on key topics such as product usage, specifications, support options, and more. Our goal is to make your engagement with BMSEED seamless, transparent, and informed. Explore these insights to understand how our expertise can drive innovation in the biotechnology sector.
Overview
What is MEASSuRE?
MEASSuRE is a complete plug-and-play instrumentation that integrates three distinct laboratory methods into one system: (1) a cell stretching device, (2) a data acquisition system for electrophysiology, and (3) a live cell imaging system.
The benefits of MEASSuRE’s concurrent mechanical, electrical, and optical interface with cells include: comparison of pre- and post-stretch data, repeated stretch and relaxation, tissue strain verification, convenience, and time saving. The mechanical stretcher alone can produce high strains, high strain rates, radial and linear strain, any stretch pattern (within VCA limits) with high reproducibility.
Contact us for a consulation or quote:
Email: info@bmseed.com
Phone: +1 (609) 532-9744
What are sMEAs?
The stretchable microelectrode array (sMEA) is the consumable for MEASSuRE. sMEAs provide a soft and dynamic mechanical environment for cells, which is more physiologically relevant than rigid glass MEAs or merely flexible MEAs.
Tissue slices or dissociated cell cultures can be stretched in a single-well sMEA by pulling the silicone membrane with the embedded microelectrodes over an indenter. The electrodes stretch with the tissue, thus being able to record electrophysiological activity before and after stretching from the same location, pre- and post-stretch.
Stretchable microelectrodes for in vitro electrophysiology are only available at BMSEED.
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The overall goal of the MEASSuRE platform is to improve how results from in vitro research translate to in vivo behavior. MEASSuRE allows researchers to apply physiological (with the Mini model) or pathological (with the Premium and X models) stretch to cell and tissue cultures, and concurrently assess the consequences of the stretch with electrophysiology and imaging methods.
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In general, all cell and tissue types that grow in vitro can be used with MEASSuRE. Some examples that customers have used on sMEAs include:
primary hippocampal neurons
organotypic hippocampal slice cultures
organotypic spinal cord slice cultures
neurons, astrocytes, microglia
human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes
cerebral organoids
cardiac spheroids
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Researchers can reproduce the biomechanics that cells experience under normal conditions, or those which cause a cellular trauma.
Some examples include:
mechanobiology
tissue engineering
regenerative medicine
TBI & repeated concussions
spinal cord injury
neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer’s)
organ-on-a-chip
muscle injuries
and more
Strain Rates: up to 1/s for the Mini, up to 60/s for the Premium, and up to 90/s for the X model
Strain: up to 20% for the Mini and up to 50% for the Premium and X models
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For MEASSuRE: depends on the required strain/strain rates, electrophysiology setup, imaging quality
For sMEAs: depends on the number of electrodes, quantity ordered, 2D vs. 3D
Contact us for a consulation or quote:
+1 (609) 532-9744
sMEAs (Stretchable Microelectrode Arrays)
How do sMEAs work?
sMEAs consist of silicone substrates with embedded gold microelectrodes. The microelectrodes are stretchable and therefore allow both mechanical and electrical interfacing with cell or tissue cultures. They enable researchers to apply controlled mechanical stretch while recording electrophysiological data.
What material are the sMEAs made of?
sMEAs are made of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) silicone embedded with gold (Au) microelectrodes that are coated with lead-free Platinum black.
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# of Electrodes per sMEA*: 28 – 56
# of Reference Electrodes per sMEA*: 2 – 4
Diameter of Recording Sites*: 70 – 200 µm
Spacing of Recording Sites*: 260 – 1188 µm
Working Area of sMEA Recording Sites*: 2 – 10 mm diameter
*customizable
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sMEAs (electrodes) and SWs (no electrodes) can be re-used if proper cleaning protocols are followed. Contact BMSEED for proper cleaning protocols for each cell type.
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The sMEA generation can be chosen based on the number of recording/stimulating electrodes, interelectrode distance, and electrode recording area. Consult with BMSEED to discuss other customizable features, such as 3D microchannels, 3D pockets for organoids, and more.
Stretchwells (SWs) do not contain any electrodes, but are the same as sMEAs in all other aspects. They can be a cheaper alternative to optimize cell seeding protocols for the sMEAs, or use with the Mechanics Module if recording electrophysiological activity is not intended for the experiment either because the cells are not electrophysiologically active or because other aspects are being investigated.
Glass MEAs provide a rigid, glass substrate.
For more information, view the comparison table below or contact BMSEED for a quick consultation:
+1 (609) 532-9744
sMEA Comparison Table
Determine which stretchable microelectrode array to use.
MEASSuRE (MicroElectrode Array Stretching Stimulating und Recording Equipment)
What is the purpose of MEASSuRE?
MEASSuRE will serve as a platform to enable fundamentally improved methods to investigate physiological stretch and pathological stretch of cells in a controlled in vitro environment. In addition, MEASSuRE allows optical imaging of the cells throughout the stretching process for verification of the tissue strain and to detect morphological changes in the tissue.
What are the advantages of using MEASSuRE over traditional methods?
MEASSuRE offers several advantages, including the integration of multiple techniques into one system, reproducibility, and the ability to study both mechanical and electrical aspects simultaneously, which can provide more comprehensive insights into cellular responses.
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Yes, customers can use any one module, two modules, or all three modules (Mechanics, Imaging, Electrophysiology) depending on the application and the budget.
Contact us for a consultation or quote:
+1 (609) 532-9744
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The MEASSuRE model is chosen depending on the customer’s desired applications (strain, strain rates), imaging quality, electrophysiology setup, and space limitations.
For physiological strain, i.e., strain that the cells experience under normal conditions, the Mini model is the most suitable. The Mechanics Module produces strains of up to 20% at rates of up to 1/s. It can be used in an incubator to produce stretches over many cycles for extended periods of time while controlling the cellular environment (temperature, ambient).
For pathological strain, i.e., strain that causes a trauma to the cells, the Premium and X models are suitable. The Mechanics Module produces strains of up to 50% at strain rates of 60/s for the Premium and 90/s for the X model.
For more information, view the comparison table below for MEASSuRE-Mini, -Premium, and -X, or contact BMSEED for a quick consultation:
+1 (609) 532-9744
Meassure Comparison Table
Determine which MEASSuRE model to use.