Happy Cell ASM (Advanced Suspension Medium) is a unique, low viscosity, animal-free, low-density cell culture reagent that promotes the formation of 3D multicellular structures. When mixed with a cell culture medium, Happy Cell supports cell growth in suspension, enabling the formation and growth of 3D multicellular structures (spheroids) without the restrictions of artificial matrices. Happy Cell also enhances the viability of primary cells and facilitates the expansion and growth of single cells.
Happy Cell ASM is easy to use and greatly enhances efficiency. When no longer required, the Happy Cell suspension system can be inactivated, thereby simplifying cell harvesting and downstream processing. This reagent was designed to work seamlessly with automated systems and is compatible with imaging and liquid handling systems, as well as flow cytometry.
With its special properties, Happy Cell ASM has proven to be a viable alternative to solid gel matrices, scaffolds, micro-patterned surfaces and hanging drop systems for 3D cell culture. Learn more about the performance and development of Happy Cell ASM.
When using Happy Cell ASM, it is recommended to also utilize Inactivation Solution. This liquid reagent facilitates the recovery of 3D multi-cellular structures by irreversibly disrupting the Happy Cell ASM suspension polymer complex without compromising cellular integrity and function. Inactivation Solution dramatically improves the quality of your data.
Kulasinghe et al., Queensland University of Technology Poster
Upadhyaya et al., Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre (2015)
Happy Cell ASM is a unique, low viscosity cell culture medium that meets all the requirements that labs in the drug discovery world are currently demanding: Cost effective, scalable, rapidly deployable, simple to use, and compatible with automation with minimal human intervention. This technology features a unique modified natural inert polymer suspension system that can be de-activated allowing for analysis and recovery of cell and tissue samples.
Happy Cell ASM is supplied as a 4X concentrate in a 25ml volume. This is sufficient for 1000 experiments using a 1X concentration in a 96 well plate.
Happy Cell ASM should be stored at 2-8°C and never frozen. Under these conditions, it is stable until the expiration date on the packaging. It can be shipped at ambient temperature.
Yes, Happy Cell ASM contains Penicillin-Streptomycin at a final concentration of 1%. If you are interested in the possibility of obtaining Happy Cell without antibiotics, please contact us.
Happy Cell ASM does not contain any growth factors. Additional supplements, such as growth factors and FBS, need to be added by the end user at their desired concentration.
For optimal Happy Cell ASM performance we recommend using low attachment culture vessels such as 50ml bioreactors and 96 well plates.
Happy Cell ASM can be dispensed at any temperature above 4°C. We recommend warming Happy Cell ASM to room temperature (18 – 22° C) prior to dispensing.
Cells can be cultured indefinitely in Happy Cell ASM once they are appropriately maintained.
The duration of time taken to observe spheroid formation in Happy Cell ASM and for spheroids to reach a certain size varies between cell lines. Typically, 3D structures will begin to form within 24 hours of seeding. We recommended regular sampling and microscopic observation of cultures in order to monitor spheroid growth.
If stored correctly (2-8°C) Happy Cell ASM Inactivation Solution is suitable for use until the expiry date on the outer packaging.
Yes, Happy Cell ASM has been formulated to be compatible with imaging systems. Spheroids in suspension can be viewed with light microscopes. For imaging, we recommend using the Inactivation Solution to sediment spheroids to the vessel imaging surface.
Happy Cell ASM does not present an obstacle to most fluorescence-based assays. However, it can be formulated in Phenol Red-free media, if desired.
Spheroids are easily harvested from Happy Cell ASM using the Inactivation Solution. See suggested protocol.
Yes, once spheroids are treated with the Inactivation Solution, they can be harvested, transferred to a centrifuge tube, pelleted, and treated as you would 2D cultures. Alternatively, you can culture spheroids in 50ml bioreactor tubes and perform inactivation and centrifugation in these vessels.
Spheroid disassembly or disaggregation can be achieved either by treating the spheroids with Accutase Solution or with Trypsin/EDTA for 20 minutes at 37°C in a humidified atmosphere of 5% CO2. The disaggregation can be enhanced by periodically back pipetting every 10 minutes until cells are fully liberated.
Boca Scientific is your premiere source for high-quality, innovative solutions for Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Immunology, genetics and other lab products and reagents. We bring leading-edge products from our own-line and around the world to laboratories in the US and Canada. Our goal is to offer excellent solutions to drive research and discoveries backed by superior customer support.