325.20 USD
key features
*The gel matrix is not part of the product.
| Number of wells | 15 |
| Volume inner well | 10 µl |
| Ø inner well | 4 mm |
| Volume upper well | 50 µl |
| Ø upper well | 5 mm |
| Growth area per inner well | 0.125 cm² |
| Coating area per inner well | 0.23 cm² |
| Bottom: ibidi Polymer Coverslip | |
Define and print your experimental setup
The μ-Slide Angiogenesis has a specialized geometry for the easy, convenient, and reproducible conduction of tube formation assays. It is also ideal for sprouting assays, immunofluorescence staining, and general 3D cell culture.
After the gel has been pipetted into the inner well and given time to solidify, the cells can be seeded on top of it for tube formation analysis. Due to the “well-in-a-well” technology, the amount of gel needed is reduced to only 10 μl per well, which is 10% of the amount used in regular multiwell plates.
Further, no meniscus is formed. This ensures the formation of a uniformly thick gel matrix on which all cells are in one optical plane, creating reproducible cell culture conditions. The µ-Slide Angiogenesis can be used with all common hydrogel matrices, such as Matrigel®, collagen gels, agarose gels, and hyaluronic acid gels.
With its 15 wells, the µ-Slide Angiogenesis is designed for low throughput assays. For large scale applications, ibidi provides the μ-Plate Angiogenesis 96 Well.
For a tube formation assay, endothelial cells are seeded on top of a 10 µl gel layer (basement membrane-like surface), where they form capillary-like structures. Typically, Matrigel® is used. The tube formation ability of the cells can be used to analyze the pro- or anti-angiogenic potential of various drugs.
For practical details, please watch the ibidi movie Performing an Angiogenesis Assay (MV 15). In our Application Notes, you will find detailed information on the setup, optimization, data analysis, and interpretation of tube formation assays:
Phase contrast image showing one well of the µ-Slide Angiogenesis with HUVEC cells on Matrigel® after 12 hours of incubation during a tube formation assay.
Phase contrast (top) and fluorescence microscopy (bottom) of a single strand composed of HUVEC cells during a tube formation assay in the µ-Slide Angiogenesis. The F-actin cytoskeleton is stained green and the cell nuclei are stained blue.
The sprouting potential of a cell cluster can be conveniently analyzed using the µ-Slide Angiogenesis. To carry out a sprouting assay, spheroids or pieces of tissue (e.g., from the aorta), are placed onto or directly in the gel matrix before imaging.
In many cases, a 3D environment more closely resembles an in vivo situation than a 2D cell culture. The µ-Slide Angiogenesis is an easy and cost-effective solution for the cultivation and microscopy of cells embedded in gel matrices. The gel layer is directly connected to the medium reservoir above, which allows for fast and easy medium exchange by diffusion. Also, non-adherent cells, such as blood cells or bacteria, can be immobilized for enhanced microscopy access.
For analyzing the outcome of a tube formation or a 3D culture experiment, immunofluorescence staining can be performed in the µ-Slide Angiogenesis. The cells can be fixated and stained directly on or in the gel, then imaged using high-resolution microscopy.
When using less than 10 µl of gel to fill the inner well of the µ-Slide Angiogenesis, small numbers of cells can be cultivated and focused on a soft gel surface.
The µ-Slide Angiogenesis can also be used as a low-volume microscopy chamber without any gel, which is useful for experiments where several wells with a low volume are required.
