Research Scientists currently work within the constraints imposed by the limited survivability of fresh cells, knowing that within a few hours of being removed from the body, they begin to die. Their utility greatly diminishes greatly as time progresses, which limits their applicability and uptake. SureTran™ provides the solution.
Fresh cells – ideal but inconvenient
It is acknowledged by the industry that the use of fresh cells in drug discovery and development is ideal. Refrigeration (+4ºC) slows down cell degeneration, but is unable to halt the irreversible metabolic changes which occur within the cell. As a result fresh cells have proven awkward and inconvenient as biomedical research tools for the following reasons:
- Availability – it is difficult to predict when cells are available if procured from a scarce source such as humans;
- Convenience – when available cells must be isolated, transported and used within a very narrow time window. This means that the scheduling of researchers’ experiments has to fit around the availability of the fresh cells; and
- Quality – by the time the material has arrived at the bench, viability is often sub-optimal meaning that the quality or validity of the data is compromised
These three reasons have driven the industry to adopt alternatives such as cryopreservation as a means of creating cell-based reagents that are better suited to the needs of researchers. However, there is increasing evidence that cryopreserved cells are not equivalent to fresh cells. Under these extreme conditions, some of the cells will survive for long periods, but the subsequent yield of the thawed cells is very low. Moreover, many of the natural metabolic systems are considerably diminished in activity, resulting in the use of a cell which does not represent all of the natural characteristics of a living cell. Hence, there is the risk that such toxicological evaluations may not identify potential side effects of new therapeutic drugs.
SureTran™ – fresh cells without the inconvenience
What the industry needs is a means of accessing fresh cells without the associated inconvience. SureTran™ was developed by Abcellute to satisfy that need.
The SureTran™ technology developed by Abcellute’s scientists means that fresh cells can be used successfully for several days post-isolation without the need for a cryopreservation step. This is achieved through the immersion of the cells in a unique, proprietary matrix that coats and protects them. The metabolic function of the cells is unchanged and they remain in their original native state. When required, the media is removed by a simple washing stage and the fresh cells are ready for use.
This provides the biomedical researcher with the combined benefits of the convenience of cryopreserved cells and the quality of fresh cells. Abcellute is the only company that can offer these benefits.
Abcellute has chosen to exemplify the SureTran™ technology on hepatocytes. The company has also demonstrated that other cell types and indeed whole organs can be transported in the SureTran™ media. In addition, the company collaborates with other companies wishing to develop advanced cell-based products and systems where extending the life of the cell would be an advantage.
