The field of cancer research is continually changing, with new research being completed all the time and new studies being published. Scientists are continuously racing to make the breakthroughs that could change the face of treatment and diagnosis for those patients who are dealing with cancer.
Unfortunately, cancer research is currently in a position where things have become problematic. Because tumors and cells that are grown in the laboratory do not always react in the same way as those that are found in the human body, it can be difficult for scientists to indicate with enough certainty just how effective possible treatments may eventually become. However, thanks to the advances that have been made in the field of 3D printed PeptiGels, this situation looks about to change completely.
What are 3D printed PeptiGels?
Until recently, research work has only focussed on 2D cell cultures. However, with PeptiGels reproducible 3D cell cultures are now possible. PeptiGels are ready to use peptide hydrogels that are fully synthetic and have been created to be biologically formulated and relevant to meet the needs of the cells in the body. 3D PeptiGels are a product that is available from Manchester Biogel. They are a synthetic peptide hydrogel system that can offer researchers a frame on which they can grow cells in a way that is reproducible and reliable. This recent advancement in technology has altered how scientists and researchers in the field of cancer carry out their research and how the results can now be interpreted.
What are the properties of these PeptiGels?
These new PeptiGels are a sophisticated production of peptide hydrogels that have been specifically engineered to meet the requirements of the individual cells. This advancement comes as a result of world-leading research that has been carried out in Manchester.
PeptiGels do not have any requirement for any post-3D printing processes thanks to the unique shear thinning properties that they have. They have been carefully formulated with a dense network of synthetic peptide fibers that are nano-sized. This ensures that the variability between one batch and the next is minimized, whilst allowing them to mimic the natural environment of the individual cell.
Not only this, but such PeptiGels are biocompatible, biodegradable and nontoxic. This makes them ideal for both tissue and cell engineering as well as use in tissue models for the testing of drugs and regenerative medicine implants. PeptiGels are also compatible with most imaging, cell staining and counting procedures, due to their transparency.
Exciting times ahead
This is an exciting time for all of those people who are involved in the world of cancer research; as a relaunch from the company who is responsible for PeptiGels will offer a high-quality set that will enable these field-leading hydrogel bioinks being utilized in those application areas that are considered to be high-growth.
These PeptiGels will allow those individuals who are committed to the field of cancer research to print a 3D structure that is well-defined. This can then be used to grow the necessary cells for new treatments to be tested on.
Within the product family for the PeptiGels, there are a range of products in different stiffnesses. It is these attributes that will allow scientists to create an environment for the cells, which is the most suitable one possible and within which they can differentiate and proliferate, allowing for more definitive outcomes.
