Frequently Asked Questions
General Information:
Q1: How long has MatTek been in business?
Q2: What are MatTek's major product lines?
In Vitro Product Line Information:
Q3: How many different types of in vitro human tissue equivalents
does MatTek produce?
Q4: What are the typical configurations for these tissues?
Q5: Does MatTek produce any other in vitro products?
Q6: Do any of the in vitro human tissue equivalents also
contain Dendritic/Langerhans Cells?
Q7: What are some typical applications for MatTek's in vitro
human tissue equivalents?
Q8: How are MatTek's in vitro human tissue equivalents produced?
Q9: What do these in vitro human tissue equivalents cost?
Q10: Can any of the in vitro tissues be used on humans?
Q11: Do you have dealers or distributors for your in vitro
products?
Q12: I've never used your in vitro human tissue equivalents-does
MatTek provide free samples to test?
Q13: How are the in vitro human tissue equivalents shipped?
Q14: Do you ship in vitro tissues outside the USA? Are there
any special regulations or paperwork that needs to be filled out?
Q15: What organizations use MatTek in vitro human tissue
equivalents?
Q16: We have products that need to be tested, but don't
have the on-site expertise to perform these tests? Will MatTek perform the tests for us?
Q17: Are there detailed protocols that I can follow to use
MatTek in vitro human tissue equivalents?
Q18: I'm new to MatTek's in vitro human tissue technology-
do you have some basic information on these products?
Q19: What is the significance of each of the following terms
as they apply to MatTek's in vitro human tissue equivalents - Normal Cells; Human
Cell-Derived; Organotypic?
Q20: What is the single most important feature of MatTek
in vitro human tissue equivalents?
Q21: What is the best way to get specific information about
my in vitro application?
Q22: What are all of these "TR's" referenced on your Web
site?
Q23: What is the quickest method to see if MatTek has information
related to a specific Keyword, Individual, or Organization?
Q24: What are ICCVAM and ECVAM and why do I see them referenced
on the MatTek Web site?
Q25: What is a "validated" in vitro method? Do MatTek in
vitro human tissue equivalents have validated methods?
Q26: What is the MTT Assay and what is it used for?
Q27: Can any MatTek in vitro human tissue equivalents be
used in Transdermal Drug Delivery studies?
Q28: Can any MatTek in vitro human tissue equivalents be
used in Inhaled / Nasal Drug Delivery studies?
Q29: Can any MatTek in vitro human tissue equivalents be
used in Transmucosal Drug Delivery studies?
Glass Bottom Culture Dish Information:
Q30: Where is the "Glass Bottom Dish" Product Line information
on the MatTek Web site?
====================
General Information:
Q1: How long has MatTek been in business?
MatTek Corporation was founded in 1985 by two MIT chemical engineering professors.
In 1991, the company leveraged its core polymer surface modification technology
into the emerging tissue engineering market. In 1993, EpiDerm, MatTek's first
in vitro human tissue equivalent, was introduced and has been in continuous production from 1993
to the present.
Q2: What are MatTek's major product lines?
MatTek produces a variety of normal (non-transformed), human cell-derived, 3-dimensional,
organotypic in vitro tissue equivalents. This Web site, MatTek.com, is devoted
to providing detailed information about our in vitro human tissue equivalents.
They are mitotically and metabolically active, closely mimic their in vivo counterparts,
both structurally and biochemically, and do so with guaranteed reproducibility.
MatTek also produces a line of Glass Bottom Culture Dishes. These dishes are
used in confocal, polarized light, and fluorescence microscopy techniques, and
are ideal for live cell microscopy applications. MatTek has a separate Web site
for its Glass Bottom Culture Dishes called GlassBottomDishes.com. Please click
on this link to open the Glass Bottom Dish Home Page in a separate browser
window.
====================
In Vitro Product Line Information:
Q3: How many different types of in vitro human tissue equivalents
does MatTek produce?
MatTek produces 9 in vitro human tissue equivalents, all of which are derived
from human epithelial cells.
* EpiDerm,
our human epidermal tissue equivalent, consists of normal, human cell-derived
epidermal keratinocytes that have been cultured to form a multilayered, highly
differentiated model of the human epidermis. EpiDerm has been in continuous
production for over 10 years. There is also an "under-developed" version, EpiDerm-201
* EpiDermFT (EpiDerm
Full Thickness), a dermal / epidermal human skin equivalent with a well-defined,
fully functional basement membrane.
* MelanoDerm
is a human skin equivalent composed of keratinocytes and melanocytes that have
been cultured to form a multilayered, highly differentiated model of the human
epidermis.
* Melanoma is a full thickness melanoma skin model composed of human malignant melanoma cells, normal, human-derived epidermal keratinocytes and normal, human-derived dermal fibroblasts that have been cultured to form a multilayered, highly differentiated epidermis with melanoma cells at various stages of CM malignancy.
* EpiOcular, our corneal model, consists of normal, human cell-derived epidermal keratinocytes that have been cultured to form a stratified, squamous epithelium similar to that found in the cornea.
* EpiAirway consists
of normal, human cell-derived tracheal/bronchial epithelial cells that have
been cultured to form a pseudo-stratified, highly differentiated model that
closely resembles the epithelial tissue of the respiratory tract.
* EpiVaginal, derived from human ectocervico-vaginal (ECV) epithelial cells.
* EpiOral, our human buccal (inner cheek) equivalent,
* EpiGingival, our human gingival (gum) tissue equivalent.
Q4: What are the typical configurations for these tissues?
Typical configurations include:
* 9 mm diameter individual tissues, each tissue produced in a single well tissue culture plate insert (shipped in either 12 or 24 tissue kits with media),
* 22 mm diameter individual tissues, each tissue produced in a single well tissue culture plate insert (shipped in 6 tissue kits with media).
Tissues are also available in 24-well and 96-well high thru-put plates. Special configurations are also available for specific tissue types (ex. EpiAirway tissues produced in "snapwell" culture inserts for use in Ussing Diffusion Chambers).
Q5: Does MatTek produce any other in vitro products?
Yes, MatTek also produces Human Dendritic (Langerhans) Cells. MatTek has developed a new method for generating Human Dendritic Cells from CD34+ progenitor cells (hematopoietic stem cells) harvested from umbilical cord blood. Applications include allergenicity, antigen binding and presentation, viral infection, immuno-therapeutic and transfection studies.
Q6: Do any of the in vitro human tissue equivalents also contain Dendritic/Langerhans Cells?
Yes. EpiVaginal with Langerhans Cells ("VLC" products) is a released product. Several other MatTek in vitro human tissue equivalents that incorporate Dendritic Cells are in "beta" phase. Please contact MatTek for more detailed information.
Q7: What are some typical applications for MatTek's in vitro
human tissue equivalents?
There are many applications for each model. For example, our EpiDerm in vitro skin equivalent is used to determine and/or study the following: dermal corrosion, skin irritation (cutaneous toxicity), dermal phototoxicity, percutaneous absorption (drug permeability, transdermal drug delivery), inflammation, gene analysis, antioxidants, metabolism, apoptosis, antimicrobial peptides, and angiogenesis.
A very useful method to determine if MatTek in vitro products have been used in applications similar to your application is to search our Technical References by Keyword. Clicking on the link below labeled "Keyword Search - Technical References" will present the entire list of keywords in alphabetical order. Clicking on a specific keyword or keyword phrase will then provide you with a listing of every Technical Reference containing that keyword.
Keyword Search - Technical References
Pharmacology/Toxicology pre-clinical applications for our in vitro human tissue
equivalents include transdermal, transbuccal, transmucosal drug delivery; biocompatibility,
toxicity studies; HIV, microbicide research; bioequivalence studies; lead optimization,
etc.
A very useful overview of MatTek in vitro human tissue equivalents, including the technology used to produce them, available tissues and their major characteristics, and an in-depth review of the use of one of these tissues, EpiAirway, in Nasal Drug Delivery studies, was presented at the recent "Tissue Models for Drug Discovery Conference". MatTek's presentation, "Normal Human Cell-Based In Vitro Epithelial Models for Drug Delivery and Toxicology Applications", is available in its entirety (PDF format) by clicking on the presentation title.
An example of a pharm/tox application of MatTek's in vitro human tissue equivalents
is as follows: after a new drug library has been processed thru a biochemical-based
(enzyme) primary screening and a cell-based secondary screening, but PRIOR to
performing pre-clinical animal studies, the remaining drug candidates are passed
through a tertiary in vitro human tissue-based screening to determine
optimum permeability and/or minimal toxicity characteristics. Those drug candidates
that pass this tertiary screening then move onto the animal-based study, but
that study will now require fewer animals, and can therefore be structured as
a small confirmatory study to meet FDA (or other regulatory agency) requirements.
Also, by performing the human tissue-based tertiary study prior to commencement
of human clincal studies, the potential for cross-species extrapolation errors
based on animal-study results has also been significantly reduced.
Prior to purchasing our in vitro human tissue equivalents, you can purchase
purified total RNA (control and treated) and/or Protein Lysate
(control) from each of our human tissue equivalents to confirm the expression
level of specific gene(s) or the presence/absence of specific protein(s).
Q8: How are MatTek's in vitro human tissue equivalents produced?
There is an overview of MatTek's in vitro human tissue equivalent production
process on this Web site (In Vitro Basics). Please click
on this link to view that page.
Q9: What do these in vitro human tissue equivalents cost?
MatTek's in vitro human tissue equivalents are very reasonably priced, especially considering the costly materials used to produce these tissues, and the amount of time (2-3 weeks) and labor (numerous technician “touches” per lot) required to grow a given tissue. The cost of these tissues is considerably less than the cost of the end user trying to produce these tissue equivalents reproducibly from initial harvesting of seed cells. A printed price list is available upon request from MatTek—to receive one, just complete our online Information
Request Form.
Q10: Can any of the in vitro tissues be used on humans?
No, none of MatTek's in vitro human tissue equivalents are approved for human
use.
Q11: Do you have dealers or distributors for your in vitro
products?
With one exception (Japan), MatTek does not have dealers or distributors for
its in vitro products. The nature of the product is such that it is best if
end-users deal directly with MatTek.
Q12: I've never used your in vitro human tissue equivalents—does
MatTek provide free samples to test?
Typically, because of the nature of the production process, MatTek does not
provide free samples of our in vitro human tissue equivalents. MatTek will provide
proof of concept to qualified potential Customers. Please contact
MatTek for details.
Q13: How are the in vitro human tissue equivalents shipped?
Tissues are typically shipped at 4°C on medium-supplemented agarose gel.
Shipment day: Every Monday.
Shipment Delivery: Tuesday morning via FedEx priority service (US). Outside
US: Tuesday-Thursday depending on location.
Q14: Do you ship in vitro tissues outside the USA? Are there
any special regulations or paperwork that needs to be filled out?
Yes, MatTek has many international Customers, particularly in the European Union.
Each country has a unique set of shipping requirements. Please contact
MatTek for more information about shipping requirements for a particular
country.
Q15: What organizations use MatTek in vitro human tissue
equivalents?
A representative list of the type of organizations that use our human tissue
equivalents is available by clicking on this
link. If you then click on the individual organization name, you will see
a list of technical papers that organization either authored or co-authored
that detail the use of our human tissue equivalents.
Q16: We have products that need to be tested, but don't have
the on-site expertise to perform these tests? Will MatTek perform the tests for us?
MatTek can do a proof of concept for your organization--please contact
MatTek for details. Once we have a conversation about your intended application,
we can also send you a list of MatTek-approved Contract Testing Labs that can
perform assays using MatTek in vitro human tissue equivalents.
Q17: Are there detailed protocols that I can follow to use
MatTek in vitro human tissue equivalents?
Yes, MatTek has detailed protocols for all of the major applications for each
of our in vitro human tissue equivalents. Please contact
MatTek with your specific application and we will provide the appropriate
protocol for your review.
Q18: I'm new to MatTek's in vitro human tissue technology–
do you have some basic information on these products?
There is an overview of how MatTek's in vitro human tissue equivalents are produced
on this Web site (In Vitro Basics). Please click
on this link to view that page.
Q19: What is the significance of each of the following terms
as they apply to MatTek's in vitro human tissue equivalents?
Normal Cells: Non-transformed cells. MatTek does not use immortalized
cell lines. By definition, an immortalized cell line has been transformed, and
therefore possesses characteristics that are not desirable in a true in vitro
human tissue equivalent.
Human Cell-Derived: All MatTek tissue equivalents are derived from human
cells. This procedure eliminates the cross-species extrapolation concerns that
accompany all work done using non-human cells.
Organotypic: MatTek's production process produces differentiated, multi-layer,
3-D human tissue equivalents that closely resemble those found in vivo. MatTek
advances in tissue engineering have made it feasible to use in vitro human tissue
equivalents to explore many of the scientific questions that could only be pursued
in vivo previously.
Q20: What is the single most important feature of MatTek
in vitro human tissue equivalents?
Reproducibility. No other feature is more important for the successful
use of in vitro human tissue equivalents than reproducibility. Why? Without
proven reproducibly, an organization can not use this technology in applications
that are designed to run over an extended period of time. For example, if your
organization plans to use in vitro human tissue equivalents to build a database
of dermal irritation information about its product formulations, that database
will remain useful over many years only if it is based on data from assays
that use highly reproducible in vitro human tissue equivalents.
For this reason, MatTek has spent many years developing the most reproducible
in vitro human tissue equivalents available. For example, MatTek has over 10
YEARS of reproducibility data for the EpiDerm human skin equivalent.
Reproducibility is so important to the successful use of in vitro human tissue
equivalents that MatTek GUARANTEES the reproducibility of ALL of its in vitro
tissues.
Q21: What is the best way to get specific information about
my in vitro application?
Complete the MatTek Information Request Form including
your detailed application information. We will review your application information
and recommend the appropriate in vitro human tissue equivalent and protocol
for that application. The more detailed you are in the description of how you
intend to use our products in your work, the more specific we can be in our
to response to your inquiry.
Q22: What are all of these "TR's" referenced on your Web
site?
"TR" indicates a MatTek Technical Reference. Technical References are peer-reviewed
technical posters/papers that scientific staff members at MatTek and/or at organizations
using MatTek in vitro products have presented at major technical conferences
and meetings.
There is a searchable database of TR citations/summaries on the MatTek Web site.
There are over 300 TR's (and growing!) listed
in the database. There are also pre-configured one-click quick searches available
on the same page for keyword, author, organization, and MatTek in vitro product.
Click on this link to go to the MatTek TR search
page.
Q23: What is the quickest method to see if MatTek has information
related to a specific Keyword, Individual, or Organization?
As mentioned above, there is a searchable database of Technical Reference citations/summaries
on the MatTek Web site. There are over 300 TR's listed in the database. There
are also pre-configured one-click quick searches available on the same page
for keyword, author, organization, and MatTek in vitro product. Click on this link to go to the MatTek TR search page.
Q24: What are ICCVAM and ECVAM and why do I see them referenced
on the MatTek Web site?
ICCVAM (USA) and ECVAM (Europe) are the organizations most directly responsible
for the effort to introduce and validate non-animal alternative toxicological
test methods in order to eliminate/reduce the number of animals used in these
studies.
From the ICCVAM Web
site: "The Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Validation of Alternative
Methods (ICCVAM) was established in 1997 by the Director of the National Institute
of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) to implement NIEHS directives in Public
Law (P.L.) 103-43. This law directed NIEHS to develop and validate new test
methods, and to establish criteria and processes for the validation and regulatory
acceptance of toxicological testing methods. P.L. 106-545, the ICCVAM Authorization
Act of 2000, established ICCVAM as a permanent committee. The Committee is composed
of representatives from 15 Federal regulatory and research agencies; these agencies
generate, use, or provide information from toxicity test methods for risk assessment
purposes. The Committee coordinates cross-agency issues relating to development,
validation, acceptance, and national/international harmonization of toxicological
test methods."
From the ECVAM Web site:
"ECVAM (European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods) was created
by a Communication from the Commission to the Council and the Parliament in
October 1991, pointing to a requirement in Directive 86/609/EEC on the protection
of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes, which requires
that the Commission and the Member States should actively support the development,
validation and acceptance of methods which could reduce, refine or replace the
use of laboratory animals. ECVAM was established in 1992 as a unit of the Environment
Institute, part of the Joint Research Centre, and was transferred to, at that
time, the newly formed Institute for Health and Consumer Protection in Ispra,
Italy in 1998."
Q25: What is a "validated" in vitro method? Do MatTek in
vitro human tissue equivalents have validated methods?
From: The Principles and Procedures of Validation, Chapter 2 (ATLA 30, Supplement
1, 13.19, 2002): "The validation of an alternative method is the process by
which the relevance and reliability of the method are established for a particular
purpose. In the context of a replacement test method, relevance refers to the
scientific basis of the test system, and to the predictive capacity of an associated
prediction model (PM), whereas reliability refers to the reproducibility of
test results, both within and between laboratories, and over time."
The entire validation process for an alternative method can take 8-10 years.
The scientific portion of the process (formal pre-validation and validation
studies) usually takes 4-6 years.
MatTek has one alternative method formally validated - EpiDerm for dermal
corrosion testing. Several others have completed major portions of the process
- EpiOcular for ocular irritation (an alternative to the Draize Rabbit Eye Test)
that is being sponsored by Colgate-Palmolive: EpiDerm for skin
irritation testing (an alternative to the Rabbit Skin Draize Test); and
EpiDerm for percutaneous absorption testing.
Q26: What is the MTT Assay and what is it used for?
The MTT Assay is a very accurate end point (method) used to measure the cell
viability of in vitro human tissue equivalents. The assay is a colorimetric
assay that measures the reduction of a tetrazolium component (MTT) into an insoluble
formazan product by the mitochondria of viable cells. After incubation of the
cells with the MTT reagent for several hours, a solution is added to lyse the
cells and solubilize the colored crystals. Samples are read using an ELISA plate
reader at a wavelength of 570 nm. The amount of color produced is directly proportional
to the number of viable cells.
Q27: Can any MatTek in vitro human tissue equivalents be
used in Transdermal Drug Delivery studies?
Yes, MatTek's EpiDerm epidermal in vitro human tissue equivalent has
been used successfully in several such studies. Click on this
link to review the technical references (TR's) related to this topic.
Q28: Can any MatTek in vitro human tissue equivalents be
used in Inhaled / Nasal Drug Delivery studies?
Yes, MatTek's EpiAirway tracheal/bronchial in vitro human tissue equivalent
has been used successfully in several inhaled / nasal drug delivery studies.
Click on this link
to review the technical references (TR's) related to this topic.
Q29: Can any MatTek in vitro human tissue equivalents be
used in Transmucosal Drug Delivery studies?
Yes, MatTek's new EpiOral buccal (inner check) in vitro human tissue
equivalent is appropriate for transmucosal drug delivery studies. Click on this
link to review the technical references (TR's) related to this topic.
====================
Glass Bottom Culture Dish Information:
Q30: Where is the "Glass Bottom Dish" Product Line information
on the MatTek Web site?
MatTek's Glass Bottom Culture Dishes are standard size 35 and 50 mm disposable
plastic petri dishes with glass coverslip bottoms, providing researchers with
superior high resolution microscopic images of their in vitro cultures. These
dishes are routinely used in confocal, polarized light, and fluorescence imaging
techniques. These dishes are also ideal for live cell microscopy.
There is so much information about these dishes that MatTek has constructed
a separate Web site for this product, GlassBottomDishes.com. Please click
on this link to open the Glass Bottom Dish Home Page in a new browser window.
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