Trevigen Joins the Bio‑Techne Family

Cell culture matrix substrates are used to expand, maintain, and differentiate pluripotent stem cells in vitro. Cultrex ECM hydrogels contain laminin, collagen IV, entactin, and heparin sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) and are qualified for specialized cell culture applications. Cultrex Basement Membrane Matrix is routinely incorporated into the stem cell culture workflow of the research and development teams at Bio-Techne. It is also a featured component in many of our StemXVivo™ Differentiation Kits and stem cell expansion and differentiation protocols. We have utilized the Cultrex products because we believe in the quality and consistency they provide for our stem cells. IntegratingTrevigen into Bio-Techne allows us to provide a broader offering of high quality culture reagents to the stem cell community. Check out our full portfolio of Stem Cell Reagents.

We offer a full line of products and resources that are designed to support scientists using 3D and organoid models in their research. Tumor spheroids have facilitated a better understanding of cancer biology and allowed for the development of more sensitive drug screening platforms because they emulate solid tumors more effectively than 2D cell monolayers. Organoids are stable model systems of organs and tissues and are amenable to long-term cultivation and manipulation. The formation of organoids is facilitated by protein-rich extracellular matrices that provide a scaffold for cell attachment and organization into 3D structures. Matrices also provide additional microenvironmental cues, such as growth factors and hormones, that help define the growth and organization of the 3D tissue. We offer organoid- and stem cell-qualified Cultrex Basement Membrane matrices, Organoid Harvesting Solution, and Cultrex R-Spondin 1 Cells. The synergies between the Trevigen and Bio-Techne portfolio are clearly exemplified on the Organoid and 3D Culture Reagents page. This page shows necessary proteins, small molecules, media supplements, extracellular matrix components, and other ancillary reagents for organoid generation and analysis.

Bio-Techne is a leading provider of reagents and assays for Cell Therapy and Immuno-Oncology. Our research and development team is on the cutting-edge of discovery for emerging targets for immunotherapy and innovative Immunoassays for Immuno-Oncology. By folding in the Trevigen portfolio, Bio‑Techne can offer researchers an expanded set of kits and reagents to measure cell damage and behavior, which is critical to the cancer research community. For investigation into the mechanisms of tumor angiogenesis, the Cultrex In Vitro Angiogenesis Assay evaluates inducers and inhibitors of endothelial cell tube formation in a 96-well plate format. In this assay, endothelial cells are seeded on a thick gel of Basement Membrane Extract in the presence of angiogenesis modulating agents. Endothelial cells can be fluorescently labeled using Calcein AM, followed by microscopy image analysis to quantify the angiogenic response.

The areas of drug discovery and toxicology testing is really where the full synergies of the Bio-Techne and Trevigen product portfolios start to shine. Stem cell, organoid, and cancer tumorsphere models are all being utilized as physiological models for disease modeling and drug assessment. Generating these models requires the combined use of R&D Systems™ reagents, Tocris™ small molecules, and Cultrex Basement Membrane Matrix components. Cell and DNA damage kits and reagents from Trevigen are critical for assessing the effects of drugs on these 2D and 3D culture systems. Now researchers can find all these reagents at one company!

The CometAssay™ is a sensitive and rapid electrophoresis technique for quantifying DNA damage and repair. It produces an image that resembles a comet with the head containing intact DNA and the tail containing DNA with single-strand or double-strand breaks. The extent of DNA liberated from the head of the comet is directly proportional to the amount of DNA damage. In addition to the standard comet assay, the 96-Well CometChip™ System provides a high-throughput platform to simultaneously treat and measure DNA damage on a single slide using an array of non-overlapping cells. The FLARE™ (Fragment Length Analysis using Repair Enzymes) Assay provides the ability to probe for oxidative DNA damage in conjunction with CometAssay reagents. Our Analysis Software and Electrophoresis System is designed to improve the performance of CometAssay, FLARE, and CometChip assays. To complement Comet assays, we also offer gamma-H2AX antibodies and fluorescent conjugates for the analysis of double-strand DNA breaks.

Our TACS™ Annexin V-FITC Apoptosis Detection Kit utilizes Annexin V, a calcium-dependent phospholipid binding protein that binds phosphatidylserine (PS) during an early apoptosis event where the PS becomes exposed at the cell surface. PARP/Apoptosis Kits and Reagents are ideal for measuring the in vitro activity of PARP-1 in cell extracts before and during apoptosis, screening of candidate PARP-1 inhibitors, and determination of IC50 values. Our PARP kits are available with chemiluminescent or colorimetric readouts. Tankyrase 1 Inhibitors and Antibodies enable the analysis of Wnt intracellular signaling pathways and chromosome telomere length. Oxidative Stress antibodies, immunoassays, and small molecules support the analysis of oxidative markers including 8-oxo-dG, BPDE, GSH and SOD. We also offer TACS Cell Proliferation assays and reagents including MTT, XTT, Resazurin, Calcein AM, plus TUNEL cell death assays.

We believe that the natural product synergies between our two companies are a great benefit to researchers using stem cell, organoid, and tumor models. With Bio-Techne and Trevigen reagents we can help scientists build better 2D and 3D cell culture models! Learn more about the use of cell-based 2D and 3D model systems for toxicology, drug screening, and disease modeling when you download our eBook. It includes chapters on primary cells, cell lines, stem cells, 3D cell culture models, and more complex tissue and organ modeling systems.