DyNAtrix is a synthetic hydrogel for 3D cell culture and organoids. No animal-derived components, no undefined growth factors, chemically defined and batch-consistent composition. Embed cells easily, image directly in the gel, and dissolve cleanly when you're ready to harvest.
Validated across cell lines, primary cells, and organoid models by ~20 pilot users and collaborators.
Want to join our growing force of early adopters? Try our pilot kits.
Ready-to-Use Kit
Don't see your cell type or organoid? Get in touch about custom validation.
See the published data →Chemically defined
Xeno-free & synthetic. Aligns with NAMs initiative and supports animal-free research.
Similar to traditional workflow
Simple protocol mimicking
traditional matrix handling. Quick
adaptation to your existing
workflow.
Simple & gentle cell release
Harvest cells gently while
maintaining high viability at 37°C for 30 min in cell culture medium .
Optically transparent
DyNAtrix is compatible with fluorescent microscopy, confocal, and light-sheet imaging.
Independently tunable
Unprecedented control over stiffness and viscoelastic properties
Bioprintable
Self-healing and injectable. Suitable for extrusion printing as bio-ink.
Reproducible
Guaranteed batch-to-batch consistency. One less thing to worry about.
Long term shelf stable
DyNAtrix is stable for long-term cell culture (> 60 days), and storage at 4°C for > 6 months.
Permeable
Low fouling and highly permeable for antibody staining in gels.
Designed to fit into your existing 3D culture setup. Same steps as basement membrane matrices.
But, with better-defined chemistry underneath.
Step 1: Mix precursors & cells
Step 2:Incubate at 37°C
Step 3: Culture and image
Step 4: Release cells (optional)
Mixing and gelation
DyNAtrix precursors exhibit a liquid-like consistency prior to mixing. Hydrogel formation is initiated by combining precursor B+ with precursor X, followed by incubation at 37°C. This procedure is designed to closely resemble standard animal-derived matrix protocols.
Imaging and analysis
Hydrogels can be imaged directly during ongoing culture. Alternatively, fixation and staining procedures can be performed within the hydrogel matrix without prior cell recovery.
Cell release
DyNAtrix hydrogels can be gently degraded in cell culture medium at 37°C using DNase I, enabling the recovery of cells with high viability for downstream analyses or subsequent passaging.
DyNAtrix is flexible. Use it in your existing labware without adapting your setup.
Tested in the following human and mammalian systems. Don't see yours? That's what the pilot programme is for.
Kidney Cysts
iPSCs
Placenta organoids
Mesenchymal Stem cells
Two kits to get you started. Both include protocols and direct support from our team.
Ready-to-use kit
✓ Ready to mix with cell suspension. No extra prep
✓ Supports wide range of cell types and vessels
✓ Protocol analogous to traditional matrix handling
✓ Stable at 4°C for > 6 months
Minimal discovery kit
Change stress relaxation properties between cell culture conditions without re-embedding.
Visualise cell-generated forces directly in 3D hydrogels using built-in fluorescent tension probes.
A synthetic polymer network held together by DNA crosslinkers. The mechanical behaviour of the gel is set by the crosslinker formulation, with no animal-derived proteins involved. Adhesion peptides are included to support cell adhesion.
Yes. DyNAtrix contains no animal- or human-derived components. It aligns with New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) and animal-free research initiatives.
DyNAtrix is a fully synthetic, animal-free alternative to Matrigel and other basement membrane extracts. Because its composition is chemically defined, it removes the batch-to-batch variability and undefined growth factors that come with tumour-derived matrices. See our guide to Matrigel alternatives for organoid culture and DyNAtrix vs traditional matrices.
Yes. The handling steps are designed to mirror a typical Matrigel workflow, so most labs adapt their existing protocols with little change.
Validated with human MSCs, iPSCs, trophoblast organoids, breast cancer tumoroids, glioblastoma and MDCK kidney cysts. Many more cell types are currently in validation, including brain organoids, gastrointestinal organoids, fibroblasts and heart.
Yes. It supports extended 3D culture over days to weeks while maintaining viability and morphology. Cell culture has been tested for up to 60 days in serum-free media.
Add DNase I to culture medium at 37°C for around 30 minutes. The gel dissolves gently, releasing cells and organoids with high viability, ready for sequencing, flow cytometry, or passaging.