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The extracellular matrix (ECM) is crucial for cell growth in vivo, serving as a structural support. In vitro, replicating this supportive environment is essential, especially for primary or iPSC-derived cell lines that cannot adhere to standard tissue culture surfaces. Early methods involved using purified ECM components like collagen and fibronectin, but these were expensive and variable. Synthetic polypeptides, such as poly-lysine and poly-ornithine, emerged as cost-effective alternatives, providing a positively charged surface that enhances cell adhesion. Despite their effectiveness, these coatings are susceptible to degradation by cellular proteases, leading to culture instability over time. To overcome this, a new coating based on dendritic polyglycerol amine (dPGA) was developed. This non-peptide polymer retains the high positive charge necessary for cell adhesion while being resistant to enzymatic degradation. Tests in neuronal cultures have shown that dPGA is as effective, if not more so, than traditional synthetic polypeptides, offering a more stable and durable solution for long-term cell culture.

We’ve all had primary neuron cultures that have gone wrong. With so many steps in the process of obtaining and cultur...

What is dPGA? A lot of biological conditions must be replicated to grow healthy dissociated cells in culture. One imp...

Why are my cells dying?  If you’ve spent any amount of time working with cultured cells, chances are you’ve asked this question. Cells grown in culture can be temperamental, and there are a wide range of factors that can impact cell health and viability. Here is a list of common sources of cell culture death to help pinpoint problems so your cultures can flourish.