FAQS

Metatissue’s biomaterials are derived from human protein-rich sources and designed to provide cells with a more physiologically relevant microenvironment.

Unlike animal-derived matrices, our materials offer a xeno-free platform enriched in human proteins and bioactive factors that support cell-matrix interactions and cellular function.

Their photocrosslinkable and mechanically tunable properties enable researchers to tailor the matrix to different experimental needs, while their versatility makes them suitable for a wide range of applications, including 3D cell culture, disease modelling, tissue engineering and bioprinting. By combining human-derived bioactivity, tunability and reproducibility, Metatissue’s materials provide a robust platform for developing more human-relevant in vitro models.

Both hPLMA and hPCMA are human-derived, protein-based photocrosslinkable biomaterials, but they differ in their biological origin and protein composition.

hPLMA is derived from human platelet lysates and contains a complex mixture of blood-derived proteins, including serum albumin, growth factors, and cytokines. Its composition provides a bioactive environment rich in soluble signals involved in cellular processes such as cell growth and proliferation.

hPCMA, in contrast, is derived from human placental extracellular matrix and is enriched in structural ECM proteins. These proteins provide a matrix-like environment that supports cell-matrix interactions, including cell adhesion and structural support.

These distinct protein profiles allow hPLMA and hPCMA to provide different but complementary biological environments, enabling researchers to select the material that best matches the requirements of their cell type and application.

For more detailed information on the protein composition and characteristics of each material, please refer to the corresponding Product Data Sheet.

hPLMA and hPCMA are complex, human-derived protein-based biomaterials whose composition reflects the biological source from which they are obtained.

hPLMA is derived from human platelet lysates and contains a diverse mixture of blood-derived proteins, including serum proteins, growth factors, cytokines, and other bioactive molecules naturally present in platelet-rich preparations.

hPCMA is derived from human placental extracellular matrix and is enriched in structural extracellular matrix proteins, including collagens and other matrix-associated proteins that contribute to cell adhesion and tissue-like microenvironments.

As naturally derived biomaterials, neither hPLMA nor hPCMA has a completely defined composition. Instead, they contain a broad range of human proteins and bioactive components that collectively contribute to their biological functionality. While the exact protein profile may vary slightly between batches, Metatissue applies a controlled manufacturing process and quality controls to ensure consistent material performance.

For more detailed information regarding the protein composition and characterization of each material, please refer to the corresponding Product Data Sheet.

As human-derived biomaterials, some degree of natural biological variability is expected. At Metatissue, we minimize lot-to-lot variability through a controlled manufacturing and quality control process.

Our production relies on pooled starting materials, reducing the impact of individual donor variability and helping maintain a consistent protein composition across batches. Following modification, each final product undergoes a defined quality control process to verify that  critical quality attributes and performance meet established specifications.

This approach allows us to preserve the biological richness of human-derived materials while ensuring consistent and reliable performance from batch to batch.

Yes. In addition to hPLMA, Metatissue offers ready-to-use formats designed to simplify material preparation and facilitate its integration into different experimental workflows: hPLMA Easy and hPLMA Sponges.

hPLMA Easy is a pre-formulated 15% (w/v) hPLMA solution containing LAP (Lithium phenyl-2,4,6-trimethylbenzoylphosphinate) 0.5% (w/v) as photoinitiator, eliminating the need for material weighing and dissolution before use. It provides a convenient option for users looking for a more straightforward and reproducible hydrogel preparation workflow.

hPLMA Sponges are pre-formed, porous scaffolds that can be directly hydrated with cell culture medium and seeded with cells, providing a 3D environment without requiring hydrogel preparation or photocrosslinking by the user.

The most suitable format will depend on your experimental setup and the level of material customization required. For detailed specifications and handling instructions, please refer to the corresponding Product Data Sheet and protocol, or contact our Technical Support team.

Yes. Depending on material concentration and formulation, hydrogels can be generated with stiffness values suitable for a wide range of soft tissue modelling applications.

When using hPLMA or hPCMA in powder format, the material concentration can be adjusted to tune the mechanical properties of the resulting scaffold. This provides flexibility to tailor the final formulation according to the requirements of different cell types, experimental models, and applications.

For information on recommended concentration ranges and material-specific properties, please refer to the corresponding Instructions for Use and Product Data Sheet or contact our Technical Support team.

Metatissue materials contain photocrosslinkable groups and therefore require a suitable photoinitiator and light source for hydrogel formation Metatissue materials are compatible with several photoinitiator systems. For cell encapsulation applications, lithium phenyl-2,4,6-trimethylbenzoylphosphinate (LAP) activated with visible blue light (405 nm) is commonly used due to its efficient crosslinking and cell-friendly conditions. LAP is available on our website at https://metatissue.com/product/lap/.

The optimal conditions may vary depending on the intended application, material concentration, and presence of cells. For cell-based applications, photoinitiator concentration and light exposure conditions should be selected to ensure adequate crosslinking while preserving cell viability.

For recommended photoinitiators and crosslinking conditions for each Metatissue material, please refer to the corresponding product protocol or contact our Technical Support team at support@metatissue.com.

Yes. Cells encapsulated within Metatissue hydrogels can be recovered using enzymatic digestion or mechanical disruption.

Enzymatic digestion allows the hydrogel matrix to be degraded and is generally the most effective approach for cell recovery. Digestion conditions, including enzyme concentration and incubation time, may need to be adjusted depending on the material, hydrogel concentration, and size.

For cells that are particularly sensitive to enzymatic treatment, mechanical disruption of the hydrogel can be used as an alternative. However, this method generally compromises cell viability and is primarily intended for the recovery of cellular contents rather than viable cells.

For recommended cell retrieval procedures, please refer to the corresponding protocol in our Protocols section.

Metatissue materials have been successfully used with a broad range of cell types, including primary cells, stem cells, established cell lines, and iPSC-derived cells, across different tissue and disease models. For a detailed overview of the cells and applications evaluated with each material, please refer to the corresponding Product Data Sheet.

If your cell type or application is not listed, this does not necessarily mean it is incompatible with our materials. Please contact our Technical Support team at support@metatissue.com to discuss your specific experimental needs.

Metatissue products should generally be stored at 4°C before opening to preserve their performance and stability. However, storage requirements may vary depending on the specific product format, including powder formulations, ready-to-use solutions, and pre-formed scaffolds.

To ensure optimal product performance, always store the material according to the instructions provided with the product and avoid exposing it to conditions outside the recommended temperature range.

For detailed storage conditions, shelf-life information, and handling recommendations for each product, please refer to the corresponding Product Data Sheet.

 (LAP) can be stored at −20°C for up to 6 months.

To preserve product performance, repeated freeze-thaw cycles should be avoided. We therefore recommend preparing aliquots in volumes appropriate for your typical experiments.

For detailed reconstitution, storage, and handling recommendations, please refer to the corresponding Product Data Sheet and protocol.

Metatissue materials are generally supplied sterile and should be handled under aseptic conditions whenever possible to maintain their sterility throughout the preparation process. Materials not supplied as sterile, such as hPCMA, are provided with specific bioburden (CFU/mL).

The material should be reconstituted under appropriate aseptic conditions.

We do not recommend reconstituting the material under non-aseptic conditions and subsequently sterilize the solution by filtration because the materials are supplied as powders containing high-molecular-weight proteins. Filtration of the reconstituted solution may result in significant protein loss due to adsorption and/or retention of the proteins by the filter membrane.

If the entire vial is not used at once, we recommend handling the material under sterile conditions, such as in a laminar flow cabinet.

Transfer the required amount of powder into a sterile container (e.g., a sterile centrifuge tube) for weighing, avoiding direct manipulation of the original vial whenever possible. . This minimizes contamination risk while allowing the remaining material to be preserved for future use.

When reconstituting the material, sterile reagents and sterile consumables should be used throughout the process.

For detailed handling recommendations, please refer to the corresponding product protocol or contact our Technical Support team at support@metatissue.com.