Introducing the World’s first 

biomimetic, tunable,

transparent, and reproducible

3D cell culture well plates. ​

lates

Technology


We make patented "collagen-like" scaffolds for next generation 3D nanofiber well plates.


A reusable template or mold is created by drilling billions of cylindrical nanoholes into a glass substrate, placing each hole  with 50 nm precision.


The template is used to emboss nanofibers onto a polymer film. The nanofibers form reliably in the template holes, enabling highly precise and customizable fiber spacings and patterns.


Fibers are integrally attached to the film and remain fixed in place.

With further processing, fiber diameter (and therefore stiffness) can be increased from a wispy 50 nm to well over a micron.


This provides the means to customize microenvironments across the entire range of collagen fibrils found in biological scaffolds.


Our 3D nanofiber scaffolds are sealed to the undersides of 2D well plates, which are molded without bottoms but otherwise have standard well plate dimensions.


This allows cell culture to take place in the biomimetic 3D nanofiber microenvironments created by our scaffolds without the need for hydrogels.

These microenvironments are tunable for each application by adjusting the hole patterns and sizes in the template and can be reproduced with high precision.


USF scaffolds are embossed on 125 µm thick polycarbonate cover slips so that  cultures can be easily monitored in situ with inverted microscopy.


Other form factors will be available in the future to meet the evolving needs of our customers and the broader marketplace. 



Free “tuning” nanofilm cell culture well plates are now available to help you determine what microenvironments are best for your application.

3D cell culture scaffolds made from USF nanofilms offer inher​ent advantages over current 3D scaffolds.​

Biomimicry

 

Collagen-like fiber sizes, spacing/density, orientation, and stiffness gradients create more natural 3D microenvironments for cell culture.

Reproducibilty


Precise control over fiber spacing, size, and stiffness can significantly reduce assay and process variations often caused by the randomness of existing technologies.

Scalability


Batch-producible for fast prototyping, small form factors, and custom lot sizes.

Continuously producible in unlimited quantities, available in rolls wider than 30 cm.


Tunability

 

Fiber spacing/density, patterns, diameter, shapes, and materials can be customized to optimize conditions for different cell types, with potential to promote:


  • Cell health outside the body
  • Cell-cell interaction​
  • Adhesion​
  • Stem cell maintenance or directed differentiation
  • Guided cell growth
  • Other specific cell behaviors as needed


Usability 

 

Compatible: Works with standard lab equipment and protocols. Can be functionalized using standard techniques, thin coatings, reagents, or other materials.

Hydrogel-free: Eliminates the need for hydrogels.

Accessible: Open structure allows 360-degree access to cells for nutrients and biochemical signals.

Transparent: Enables in situ imaging for live cell observation.

Convenient storage: Can be stored at room temperature with an extended shelf life.

Versatile: Can be adapted to different form factors beyond well plates, including T flasks, bioreactors, and parallel flow devices.

We can help you achieve your objectives.


Here are two ways to get started ​. 

Sign up to receive free “tuning” well plates


We don’t yet know what fiber densities and other characteristics will work best for your application.  The easiest way to get started is for you to first try our “tuning” well plates for free and provide us with your feedback.  Each tuning plate will allow you to test six different fiber densities at once.


Depending on your results, you can then either purchase single-density well plates optimized for your application or we can work together to further optimize as warranted.




Arrange a call to discuss your needs.


There is potential to customize microenvironments and form factors for your application.

Click above to arrange a meeting to discuss.



FAQ’s