1. Why culture cells in 3-D?
Cells grown in three dimension (3-D) more closely mimic cellular behavior in biological tissues. Such 3-D cell cultures are critical for accurate and robust results in medical research and scientific studies. By contrast, cells grown in a 2-D environment can exhibit different behavior from those that are observed in vivo or in a 3-D cell culture.
2. What is the difference between Vitrogen® and PureCol®?
PureCol®, bovine collagen at 3 mg/ml, was previously called Vitrogen®. Due to licensing restrictions several years ago, the Vitrogen® product name was converted to PureCol®. There are no differences in the product, only a name change.
3. What is collagen?
Collagen is a multifunctional family of proteins with unique structural characteristics. More than 21 genetically distinct types of collagen have been discovered. Type I collagen is the most abundant and ubiquitous protein of all in the body. Its functions range from serving crucial biomechanical functions in bone, skin, tendon, and ligament to controlling cellular gene expressions in development.
4. What is your source of your bovine Type I collagen?
Our source of Type I collagen is from bovine corium derived from skin. This tissue is a rich source of Type I collagen. Type I Bovine collagen is highly purified using a multi-step process to yield ultra-pure collagen.
5. What is your source of your human Type I collagen?
Our source of human Type I collagen is from primary fibroblasts. These fibroblasts have been extensively tested for adventitious agents and viruses. These c ells are grown in a cell culture process where they secrete extracellular matrix. This fibroblast-produced extracellular matrix is processed using a multi-step purification process to yield ultra-pure human collagen, VitroCol™.
6. What is the country of origin for your bovine collagen products?
Advanced BioMatrix bovine collagen products are derived from tissues collected from United States sources from a ‘closed’ herd.
7. Is Mad Cow Disease or Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) transmission a concern
with the use of your bovine collagen products?
The risk of transmitting Mad Cow Disease, Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), or viruses through the use of bovine raw material source of collagens is considered negligible. This conclusion is based on controls that are in-place for the source materials and on validated purification processes that have been shown to remove or inactive adventitious agents and viruses.
8. How do you prepare an aseptic collagen solution?
Advanced BioMatrix’s collagen products are prepared and manufactured employing aseptic processing techniques and sterile filtration. Collagen typically cannot be sterilized with an autoclave, gas or irradiation due to denaturation.
9. Is collagen able to recover its original molecular configuration form once it is denatured into gelatin by heat?
As collagen is heated, the triple helix of a collagen molecule, which consists of three polypeptide chains, becomes unraveled and its viscosity drops considerably (heat denaturation from collagen into gelatin). Although the original triple helix can be partly recovered by cooling the heat-denatured solution, this reaction is virtually irreversible.
10. Can I freeze collagen products?
Freezing is not recommended for these products as it may damage the collagen.
11. At what temperatures should I store Advanced BioMatrix’s products?
Temperature storage conditions are provided on product labels, direction for use (DFU) and on the Advanced BioMatrix website. It is important to store products at their prescribed storage conditions to ensure the functionality of the products.
12. How long can I store Advanced BioMatrix’s products?
The shelf life parameters for certain products are provided on the direction for use (DFU) and on the Advanced BioMatrix website where applicable. Expiration dates are provided on the product label where applicable. If shelf life or expiration dates are not provided, it has been determined that, if stored properly, the products are stable at the prescribed storage conditions. If there is an expiration date, it is important to use the product within the stated expiration date to ensure the functionality of the products.
13. How do I remove the cells from a collagen gel?
A dissociation solution, such as trypsin, EDTA, or collagenase, is effective in removing cells from the collagen matrix.
14. What is atelo-collagen?
Collagen where the telo-peptide portions of the molecule are removed (at the N- or C- terminal globular domains) are considered atelo-collagen. This typically occurs when the native material is subjected to a pepsin enzyme treatment in the purification process.
15. Are your collagen products pepsin treated acid soluble, atelo-collagen?
PureCol®, Nutragen® and VitroCol™ collagen products are prepared using a pepsin treatment removing the telo-peptide portions of the molecule. These products are acid soluble.
16. What Quality Systems are followed at Advanced BioMatrix?
Advanced BioMatrix has established a corporate quality system for the production and distribution of its products. Since products are offered for research purposes and not for human uses, Advanced BioMatrix has implement applicable Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) to ensure that products are manufactured and tested per specifications and meet our research customer’s needs.
17. Does Advanced BioMatrix seek new matrix products to add to its product offering?
Yes, Advanced BioMatrix encourages all its customers to provide feedback via our blog or contacting us at support@advancedbiomatrix.com or 1-800-883-8220 on desired products not listed on the website. Advanced BioMatrix has several new innovative products in development to meet our customer’s needs and requirements.
18. What are the procedures for preparing Advanced BioMatrix products for coating tissue culture plasticware?
Preparation and coating instructions for all of Advanced BioMatrix’s products are described in the directions for use (DFU) for each product as applicable. The DFUs are accessible on our website under the product listing.
19. How are your products shipped to customers?
Products are shipped employing tested/validated procedures. Our collagen products are shipped to the customer in specially designed shippers that maintain the appropriate temperature by the use of gel packs and insulated packaging. Our other products are shipped under ambient or dry-ice conditions as appropriate to ensure product stability while minimizing transportation costs.
20. What is Advanced BioMatrix’s strategic focus?
Advanced BioMatrix’s strategic corporate focus is providing high quality, three dimensional (3D) and other specialized
matrix products for research purposes.
21. For what uses can Advanced BioMatrix’s products be used?
Advanced BioMatrix’s products are intended for research purposes only and not for therapeutic, clinical, diagnostic or other uses outside the laboratory.
1-800-883-8220 (United States)
1-858-451-2421 (Outside United States)
1-510-217-3452 (Fax) Support@AdvancedBioMatrix.com
