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.
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Product Families
Tension Systems
Our FX-6000™ Tension System is a computer-regulated bioreactor that uses positive and negative air pressure to apply cyclic or static mechanical tensile strain to cells cultured on flexible-bottomed culture plates. The FX-6000™ Tension System allows researchers to simulate in vivo tissue strains and frequencies in vitro that mimic in vivo conditions in cells from muscle, lung, heart, vascular vessels, skin, tendon, ligament, cartilage, and bone.
We offer 6-week trial of our Tension Systems, call us for more details!
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Compression Systems
Flexcell’s® Compression System regulates positive air pressure to compress tissue samples or 3D cell cultures in vitro. The FX-5000C™ Compression System compresses samples between a piston and stationary platen using our BioPress™ culture plates. It can load up a range of 0.1 to 14 lbs. of applied force. Using the FX-5000C™ Compression System, researchers can observe biochemical changes and cell signaling in vitro that mimics in vivo conditions.
We offer a 6-week trial of our Compression System, call for details!
Fluid Shear Systems
The Streamer® is a fluid shear stress device allowing users to regulate fluid shear stress to cells in culture with laminar, pulsatile, or oscillating flow. Flexcell’s® Streamer® System uses a computer-controlled peristaltic pump. Together with the Osci-Flow® Flow Controller, researchers can regulate the frequency of oscillation or pulsatile patterns based on shear stress level applied from 0-35 dynes/cm2. Flexcell’s® Fluid Shear System is designed to allow users to observe biochemical changes, cell migration and signaling under fluid shear load in vitro.
We offer a 6-week trial of our Fluid Shear Systems, call us for details!
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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® 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, 2, 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 scaffolds. This allows for the development of bioengineered constructs, advancing our understanding of disease mechanisms and tissue repair. With flexible membrane disposables that mimic native tissue stiffnesses, our culture plates offer groundbreaking solutions for tissue engineering. Soft substrates have proven effective for sensitive cell lines prolonging phenotype senescence, improving bioprocessing and regenerative medicine applications.
Drug Discovery
Flexcell® 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
College of Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, USA
"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."
School of Life Sciences & Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, P.R. China
"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."
University of Notre Dame, USA
"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."
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.
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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.
Upcoming Event
American Thoracic Society (ATS)
Upcoming Event
International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISCCR)