Culture supports for microscopy - Channel Slides
Channel slides with different heights, volumes, and coatings specially suited for flow applications
Liquids are a crucial component of every living species. Many cell types are surrounded by moving fluids. Examples are:
- vascular endothelial cells that form the inner layer of blood vessels,
- lymphatic endothelial cells that form the inner layer of lymphatic vessels,
- epithelial cells of the kidney and the lung.
This liquid flow causes shear stress, a mechanical force that influences the cell morphology and behavior in many ways.
In many standard in vitro experiments, cells are cultured without flow. Under these static conditions, shear stress-dependent cellular changes cannot be taken into account. In contrast, in vitro cell culture under flow simulates this mechanical stimulus and induces a more physiological, in vivo-like behavior.
Working under flow conditions can be especially important when using cells that occur in biofluidic systems, such as endothelial or epithelial cells.
