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OMEGA

NEURONAL CO-CULTURE DEVICES

The OMEGA series features powerful neuronal co-culture and compartmentalization devices that let you set up advanced human-relevant in vitro models!

To increase your data output, we created microfluidic co-culture devices with a unique open chamber design so that each experimental unit consists of only two chambers separated by microfluidic microchannels. Thanks to this streamlined design, OMEGA devices feature more experimental units per area than conventional microfluidic devices for neurons!

To suit all your needs, we continuously grow our neuronal co-culture device portfolio: from two experiments per device ideal for developing novel neuronal co-culture assays, all the way to HTS-compatible co-culture microplates with 48 experiments ideal for drug screening assays!

Not only did we design this series to increase your data output, but also to make the devices easy to use! That’s why all devices come ready-to-go and pre-bonded!

Check out the TOP ADVANTAGES, APPLICATIONS, FORMATS, and USER GUIDES below!

TOP ADVANTAGES

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PHYSIOLOGICALLY RELEVANT

Neurons depend on their highly polarized structural configuration to properly perform their primary physiological function. Our OMEGA co-culture device for neurons replicates neuronal polarity in vitro by employing microfabricated channels, which physically separate the two chambers of the experimental unit. Despite their small size, the microchannels are large enough for axons, but not cell bodies, to pass through and project into (and interact with cultures located in) the adjacent chamber creating a more physiological model.

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CHOOSE YOUR FORMAT

If you are just starting out, we recommend using the OMEGA4 device with two experiments per device.
For expensive cell lines, we suggest trying the OMEGA4-2MINI or OMEGA4-2MINI-2mm which feature one standard-sized chamber and one smaller chamber per experimental unit. Just as for the OMEGA4, each OMEGA4-2MINI and OMEGA4-2MINI-2mm let you set up two experiments per device.
Ready to perform more experiments? Then save money with the fully HTS-compatible OMEGA96  featuring 48 experiments per microplate!

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START RIGHT AWAY

We know bonding devices can be a real hassle! That's why we ship our OMEGA devices pre-bonded and completely ready-to-go so that you can focus on performing experiments without losing time. OMEGA4 and OMEGA4-2MINI devices are pre-bonded to #1.5 glass coverslips and OMEGA96 plates are pre-bonded to 200µm high-transmissive glass. All devices come sterile in PBS. There is no need for you to use any plasma treatment!

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ACCESS CULTURES DIRECTLY

The unique open chamber design gives you direct access to your cultures! With OMEGA devices, you can explore new types of experimental paradigms not possible with standard closed-chamber devices. For example, chambers are large enough to house tissues that are several millimeters in diameter, easily accomodating tissue explants or self-assembled 3D cultures (e.g. spheroids, organoids). Additionally, conventional patch-clamp electrodes can openly access the cultures, allowing you to examine the electrophysiological properties of the cultures.

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VERSATILE

One device: so many applications! The OMEGA series offers a plethora of possibilities for experiments involving neuronal co-cultures and compartmentalization. Generate powerful neurodegenerative disease models, perform axotomy experiments in vitro, take high quality fluorescence images and record patch-clamp data... Devices are compatible with iPSC-derived cultures, primary cultures, immortalized cell lines and even self-assembled 3D cultures (e.g. spheroids, organoids) and tissue explants can be accommodated!

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AFFORDABLE

Thanks to the streamlined design of only two chambers per experimental unit, the OMEGA series accommodates more experiments per area compared to conventional neuronal co-culture devices! That way, you can increase your data output and save money at the same time! For the most bang for the buck, consider using the OMEGA96 microplate!

OMEGA vs. CONVENTIONAL DEVICES

A QUICK SIDE BY SIDE COMPARISON

APPLICATIONS

NEURONAL COMPARTMENTALIZATION

The OMEGA device can be used as a neuronal compartmentalization device. Neurons seeded in a single chamber of the OMEGA device will project their neurites through the microchannels into the adjacent chamber. Fluidic isolation of one chamber from the other (by controlling the direction of the pressure head through the microchannels) allows for the fluidic separation of neuronal somas from their projecting axons. Treat and analyze each of these neuronal components separately in your in vitro assay.

NEURONAL COMPARTMENTALIZATION

The OMEGA device can be used as a neuronal compartmentalization device. Neurons seeded in a single chamber of the OMEGA device will project their neurites through the microchannels into the adjacent chamber. Fluidic isolation of one chamber from the other (by controlling the direction of the pressure head through the microchannels) allows for the fluidic separation of neuronal somas from their projecting axons. Treat and analyze each of these neuronal components separately in your in vitro assay.

COMPARTMENTALIZED UPTAKE EXPERIMENTS

The OMEGA device can be used to set up neuronal propagation assays. Examine compartment-specific uptake, intraneuronal transport, and propagation of toxic or misfolded proteins such as tau, amyloid-β, α-synuclein, TDP43, or prion PrP. The fluidic isolation of compartments with the OMEGA device stops the extracellular travel of applied molecules to the adjacent compartment, providing researchers with the utmost confidence in the interpretation of results.

COMPARTMENTALIZED UPTAKE EXPERIMENTS

The OMEGA device can be used to set up neuronal propagation assays. Examine compartment-specific uptake, intraneuronal transport, and propagation of toxic or misfolded proteins such as tau, amyloid-β, α-synuclein, TDP43, or prion PrP. The fluidic isolation of compartments with the OMEGA device stops the extracellular travel of applied molecules to the adjacent compartment, providing researchers with the utmost confidence in the interpretation of results.

AXOTOMY

Owing to the open-top chamber design, the OMEGA provides unprecedented access to axons projecting through inter-chamber microchannels. Performing in vitro axotomy experiments have never been easier: simply scrape the bottom of the device by following the microchannel wall with a pipette tip thereby disrupting axons that have grown across the microchannels. If mechanical axotomy is not suitable for your planned experiment, detergents (e.g. saponin) can be washed on/off quickly to achieve a similar result chemically. This gives you easy options for developing a powerful in vitro model for nerve damage and axonal regeneration!

AXOTOMY

Owing to the open-top chamber design, the OMEGA provides unprecedented access to axons projecting through inter-chamber microchannels. Performing in vitro axotomy experiments have never been easier: simply scrape the bottom of the device by following the microchannel wall with a pipette tip thereby disrupting axons that have grown across the microchannels. If mechanical axotomy is not suitable for your planned experiment, detergents (e.g. saponin) can be washed on/off quickly to achieve a similar result chemically. This gives you easy options for developing a powerful in vitro model for nerve damage and axonal regeneration!

CO-CULTURE APPLICATIONS

The OMEGA series is the idea neuronal co-culture system and can be used for various applications. For example,  you can set up motor neuron skeletal muscle co-cultures. Thanks to the microchannels that separate the two culture chambers, motor neuron somas never come into direct contact with skeletal muscle and you can easily study physiologically relevant neuromuscular junctions. Ideal for neuromuscular disorder applications such as ALS and Kennedy’s disease (SBMA). For advanced 3D NMJ studies featuring mature 3D skeletal muscle microtissues, consider trying our OMEGANMJ neuromuscular junction device.

Other Co-culture Applications:

Nigrostriatal Pathway Model - Co-culture dopaminergic and GABAergic neurons: Replicate this classic dopaminergic pathway in vitro for Parkinson’s disease research.

Nociception and Mechanosensation - Co-culture sensory neurons (e.g. DRGs) adjacent to skin fibroblasts to form an excellent pain model.

Myelination - Examine the myelination potential of oligodendrocytes co-cultured in the somatic or axonal neuronal compartments, or both!

Investigate the brain-Gut Axis by co-culturing vagal, sympathetic or spinal afferent fibers adjacent to gastrointestinal explants or self-assembles gut organoids.

CO-CULTURE APPLICATIONS

The OMEGA series is the idea neuronal co-culture system and can be used for various applications. For example,  you can set up motor neuron skeletal muscle co-cultures. Thanks to the microchannels that separate the two culture chambers, motor neuron somas never come into direct contact with skeletal muscle and you can easily study physiologically relevant neuromuscular junctions. Ideal for neuromuscular disorder applications such as ALS and Kennedy’s disease (SBMA). For advanced 3D NMJ studies featuring mature 3D skeletal muscle microtissues, consider trying our OMEGANMJ neuromuscular junction device.

Other Co-culture Applications:

Nigrostriatal Pathway Model - Dopaminergic neurons / GABAergic neurons: Replicate this classic dopaminergic pathway in vitro for Parkinson’s disease research.

Nociception and Mechanosensation - Co-culture sensory neurons (e.g. DRGs) adjacent to skin fibroblasts to form an excellent pain model.

Myelination - Examine the myelination potential of oligodendrocytes co-cultured in the somatic or axonal neuronal compartments, or both!

Investigate the brain-Gut Axis by co-culturing vagal, sympathetic or spinal afferent fibers adjacent to gastrointestinal explants or self-assembles gut organoids.

2-IN-1 VIRAL TRANSMISSION ASSAY

The ability to fluidically isolate adjacent compartments with OMEGA devices can be employed to examine the infection and propagation characteristics of viruses in vitro. The OMEGA device allows researchers to access both the processes of viral packaging/release from infected cells as well as viral docking and infection of host cells in one simple experiment.

2-IN-1 VIRAL TRANSMISSION ASSAY

The ability to fluidically isolate adjacent compartments with OMEGA devices can be employed to examine the infection and propagation characteristics of viruses in vitro. The OMEGA device allows researchers to access both the processes of viral packaging/release from infected cells as well as viral docking and infection of host cells in one simple experiment.

FORMATS

OMEGA4

Every OMEGA4 device contains two pairs of adjoined chambers, meaning that two independent experiments can be performed with one device.

OMEGA4 specifications:
Glass coverslip: 22 mm, round, #1.5 thickness
Number of microchannels per interface: 70
Microchannel length: ~640 µm
Well surface area: ~0.35cm2

Starter Kit includes:
4 x OMEGA4 devices (shipped sterile)
4 x evaporation minimizing culture inserts (reusable)
4 x 35 mm round culture dishes (sterile)
1 x Microscopy adapter for OMEGA series devices
(SKU: eN-o4-001)

Refill Kit includes:
4 x OMEGA4 devices (shipped sterile)
4 x 35 mm round culture dishes (sterile)
(SKU: eN-o4-002)

Refill Kit Plus includes:
4 x OMEGA4 devices (shipped sterile)
4 x evaporation minimizing culture inserts (reusable)
4 x 35 mm round culture dishes (sterile)
(SKU: eN-o4-003)

OMEGA4-2MINI

Every OMEGA4-2MINI device contains two pairs of adjoined chambers, meaning that two independent experiments can be performed with one device.

OMEGA4-2MINI specifications:
Glass coverslip: 22 mm, round, #1.5 thickness
Number of microchannels per interface: 70
Microchannel length: ~640 µm
Well #1 surface area: ~0.35cm2
Well #2 surface area: ~0.175cm2

Starter Kit includes:
4 x OMEGA4-2mini devices (shipped sterile)
4 x evaporation minimizing culture inserts (reusable)
4 x 35 mm round culture dishes (sterile)
1 x Microscopy adapter for OMEGA series devices
(SKU: eN-o4m2-001)

Refill Kit includes:
4 x OMEGA4-2mini devices (shipped sterile)
4 x 35 mm round culture dishes (sterile)
(SKU: eN-o4m2-002)

Refill Kit Plus includes:
4 x OMEGA4-2mini devices (shipped sterile)
4 x evaporation minimizing culture inserts (reusable)
4 x 35 mm round culture dishes (sterile)
(SKU: eN-o4m2-003)

OMEGA96

Every OMEGA96 device contains 48 pairs of adjoined chambers, meaning that 48 independent experiments can be performed with one device.

OMEGA96 specifications:
Microplate structure material: Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), biologically inert
Microplate glass or PDMS bottom thickness: 200 µm
Microplate outer dimensions: 127.7 x 85.4 mm
Microplate height (w/o lid): 14.2 mm
Well surface area: ~0.35 cm2
Well dimensions (L x W x H): 7 x 6 x 13 mm
Well volume: 350 µl
Microchannel width: 10 µm
Microchannels/well- pair: 70
Microchannel length: 640 µm
Shipped sterile and ready to be used in culture
Optionally pre-coated with either poly-D-lysine or poly-L-ornithine

SKU: eN-o96-001 (glass bottom, uncoated)
SKU: eN-o96-002 (glass bottom, PLO coated)
SKU: eN-o96-003 (glass bottom, PDL coated)

OMEGA4-2MINI-2mm

Every OMEGA4-2MINI-2mm device contains two pairs of adjoined chambers, meaning that two independent experiments can be performed with one device.

OMEGA4-2MINI-2mm specifications:
Glass coverslip: 22 mm, round, #1.5 thickness
Number of microchannels per interface: 70
Microchannel length: ~640 µm
Well #1 surface area: ~0.35cm2
Well #2 surface area: ~0.11cm2

Starter Kit includes:
4 x OMEGA4-2mini-2mm devices (shipped sterile)
4 x evaporation minimizing culture inserts (reusable)
4 x 35 mm round culture dishes (sterile)
1 x Microscopy adapter for OMEGA series devices
(SKU: eN-o4m22mm-001)

Refill Kit includes:
4 x OMEGA4-2mini-2mm devices (shipped sterile)
4 x 35 mm round culture dishes (sterile)
(SKU: eN-o4m22mm-002)

Refill Kit Plus includes:
4 x OMEGA4-2mini-2mm devices (shipped sterile)
4 x evaporation minimizing culture inserts (reusable)
4 x 35 mm round culture dishes (sterile)
(SKU: eN-o4m22mm-003)

PDF & VIDEO USER GUIDES

UNPACKING & PREPARING OMEGA-4 DEVICES

Whether you're a seasoned researcher or new to microfluidics, this step-by-step user guide will help you get started with our unique compartmentalization and co-culture technology. In this episode, we'll guide you through the process of unpacking and preparing our OMEGA-4 microfluidic devices for neuronal cell cultures.