For your first experiment with QGel™ we recommend: i) to encapsulate your cells in QGel™ matrices using our standard gel disc casting protocol, and ii) to observe how your cells grow over a period of 2-3 weeks by light microscopy and/or by choosing other assays suitable for 3D cultures (see paragraph below). If you are not familiar with 3D cell culture, or you are used to work with natural 3D matrices, you might be interested in reading the FAQ What to expect from my cells in QGel™ matrix compared to other matrices?. Furthermore, if you would like to learn more details about the differences between the three QGel™ matrix products available, click here.

During this first experiment, at specific time points you can then take the gel discs and analyze the cells within them. Please refer to our support webpage for protocols to analyze cells in the gels (e.g. confocal microscopy, staining, DNA, RNA extraction, histology, etc.). The cases of QGel™ customers might also be useful to get an idea about different cell culture conditions (e.g. cell concentration, QGel™ products, etc.). The FAQ about spreading/proliferation/migration and MMP-matrix-remodeling mechanisms in QGel™ matrices may also be of interest to you.

Once you have observed how your cells behave and proliferate in the gels over a couple of weeks, you can decide what parameters required to be optimized and/or determined for your next experiment (e.g. particularly the time points for analysis, what assay should be used to analyze the cells, the cell concentration, the type of cell culture media, a possible need to decrease gel stiffness etc.). Indeed, the behavior of cells in response to matrix characteristics is cell type dependent. For example, how long it takes for your cells to spread or to form spheroids and how much time they need to reach an optimum proliferation rate or a particular spheroid size, has to be assessed during your first experiments. Therefore, the data collected from your first experiment, will help you to better design your next experiment and possibly adapt QGel™ matrix to best suit your application. For example, you will soon find online a new protocol for laminin incorporation in QGel™ matrices as well as another protocol to lower the stiffness of the gel (some of our customers reported that certain cell types gave better results in softer QGel™ matrix). 

If needed, a table to help you design your experiment with QGel™ products was prepared for you. It allows you to determine quickly the number of QGel™ vials and QGel™ Disc Casters you need for your experiment. For more information and an example how to use this table, please see the question How to design my experimental plan with QGel™ MT 3D Matrix?. In addition, we would be happy to assist you for your first experiment with QGel matrix. Please do not hesitate to contact us before you plan your experiment and a member of the QGel™ team will help you with the design of the experimental settings.