The Global Eukaryotic Microcarrier (GEM™) is a microcarrier which is composed of a biopolymer core called alginate with embedded magnetic particles and a surface which can be covalently bound to substrates for cell attachment and growth.  These features maintain the unique in vivo  phenotype of your favourite cell line while providing a vehicle for culture transport through the drug discovery process. As a magnetic microcarrier, the GEM not only supports high-density cell culture, but also can be controlled throughout medium exchange or culture collection during manual or automated handling..

Features and benefits

Alginate core - As an unbranched polysaccharide, alginate possesses a chemical structure similar to polysaccharide components of human extracellular matrix (ECM). The GEM substrate's compressible hydrogel core also provides a unique porous matrix enhancing cell polarity and allowing for a more in vivo-like metabolic function.

Magnetic - Magnetic particles within the alginate core simplify culture and assay procedures. The GEM can be easily controlled for dispersion in the LeviTube™, held in place during manual or automated media changes, and for easy collection for downstream applications.

Pre-coated - The GEM is uniquely coated with a thin molecular layer of gelatin to create a culture surface suitable for a wide range of cell types. Additional coatings such as BD Matrigel, Laminin, Collagen IV and I, Fibronectin and Poly-D-Lysine are employed for attachment of unique cell types, including primary and stem cells.

Easy Microscopy - The GEM is non-autofluorescent and optically clear, allowing for 3D projection imaging of cells directly on the GEM. The optical clarity of the GEM also allows for absorbance and luminescence assays with cells still attached. The image (above) is a 70µm confocal Z-projection of CHO cells stained with DAPI (blue), WGA (green), and Phalloidin (red).

Size and surfact area - The GEM has a diameter between 75 and 150µm, providing a curved 3D surface and allowing for trouble-free pipetting. The GEM also maximizes surface area-to-volume ratio enabling large-scale culture in a compact footprint.

Harvesting Cells – Removing cells from the GEM is easily done with either Trypsin or Accutase (recommended) which will dissolve the GEM and gently disassociate cells allowing for the collection of a single cell suspension for downstream applications.

Posters are found in the download section see above.

Applications notes are found in download section see above..

Publications:

1. 1. http://www.genengnews.com/gen-articles/automated-cell-culture-with-3-d-substrate/3068/ (Badr N.A. et al. Automated Cell Culture with 3D Substrate. Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News. Oct 15, 2009 (Vol. 29, No. 18))
   2. http://www.genengnews.com/gen-articles/3-d-cell-culture-for-discovery-bioprocess/3035/ (Flanagan N. 3D Cell Culture for Discovery and BioProcess. Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News. Sep 15, 2009 (Vol. 29, No. 16).)
   3. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19049902?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DefaultReportPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum (Justice B.A. et al; 3D cell culture opens new dimensions in cell-based assays. Screening: Trends in Drug Discovery, Issue 4, 2009, pgs 26-27)
   4. http://www.nature.com/nmeth/journal/v5/n12/pdf/nmeth1208-1061.pdf (Blow N. Stem Cells: Finding the right path. Nature Methods, Vol 5, No 12, 2008, pgs 1061 and 1068