Munich, Germany -– ibidi GmbH, a leading supplier of cell-based assay and imaging tools, announces their latest innovation, the µ-Slide Membrane ibiPore Flow. This new product will enable researchers to culture single or multiple cell types on a porous glass membrane and then analyze the cells using high resolution microscopy—something that is not currently possible when using typical polymer cell culture inserts.

This unique microscopy chamber contains a cross-channel structure with a thin, porous, optical glass membrane in between. Cells can be cultured on both sides of the glass membrane and then visualized using phase contrast or fluorescence microscopy. The special construction of the slide allows full fluidic access to the apical and basal sides of adherent cells for cell studies under static or flow conditions.

ibidi’s innovative product will make it possible, for the first time, to use a glass surface for bio-slides that simulates an organ-like environment. Researchers presently studying processes in normal physiology or in inflammation, infection, or cancer, should benefit from using these new µ-Slides. Typical applications will include, the co-culture of smooth muscle cells with endothelial cells under perfusion, trans-migration of leukocytes with dynamic shear stress, and invasion assays using cancer cells. All assays can then be imaged using phase contrast and fluorescence microscopy with high resolution.

The µ-Slide Membrane ibiPore Flow was developed in collaboration with SiMPore, Inc., a nanotechnology company specializing in novel nanomembranes. SiMPore provides the porous glass membranes in various pore sizes and porosities, which enables researchers to culture and study cells in various sizes, from endothelial and epithelial cells to tumor and melanoma cells.

“ibidi is committed to improving the understanding of complex disease processes through our live cell analytical tools. The inclusion of SiMPore’s nanomembranes into our µ-Slide product portfolio is another significant advancement to this commitment,” stated Dr. Roman Zantl, President and Head of Research and Development at ibidi.

SiMPore’s G-FLAT Microporous Glass Membranes are essentially micro-scale glass coverslips. For decades, glass coverslips have been widely used for high resolution microscopy, since glass has a high optical clarity for imaging. SiMPore’s innovation is the development of flat, porous silicon oxide membranes that are less than 0.5 microns thick and do not have issues with wrinkling that can disturb the imaging. ibidi’s experience in the development of cell biochips has made it possible to incorporate these membranes into a microscopy chamber for cell culture and high resolution imaging. Together, both companies have contributed to improving cell culture microenvironments and creating higher quality imaging.