Are the Cloudz Cell Activation/Expansion Kits cell isolation kits?
No, our Cloudz kits do not isolate cells but are cell activation/expansion products. However, we offer T Cell Enrichment Columns or MagCellect™ Cell Selection Kits for cell isolation.
What is the difference between cell activation & cell expansion?
Exposure of immune cells to the ligands on Cloudz microspheres activates intracellular signaling to promote cell expansion and provide you with a robust cell culture during activation and expansion steps of cell culture.
Why are flasks placed vertically instead of horizontally in the protocol for Cloudz NK Cell Expansion kit?
The vertical positioning is mostly important for the first 3-5 days of culture (depending on donor). It maintains a higher cell density and allows them to survive to proliferate at later timepoints.
Is the expansion rate of cells independent of the source of the cells?
Donor to donor variability plays a significant role in the growth kinetics of cells, and will impact the ultimate expansion and phenotype of your expanded cells.
When should I remove my Cloudz particles from my cells?
The Cloudz microspheres can either be dissolved after 48 hrs, or remain for the entire culture period
How do I remove Cloudz microspheres from my cell culture when my cells have reached maximal confluency?
The Release Buffer in the Kit can be added to culture to completely dissolve away Cloudz Microspheres. Cells can then be spun down and washed to completely clear the release buffer from culture. Do not leave cells in release buffer for more than 30 minutes.
How do I confirm removal of Cloudz microspheres from my culture?
Cloudz Microspheres can be assessed using the Micro-Flow Image-based particle analysis instrument to observe dissolution of the Cloudz.
Should I use serum-free media or serum-containing media for expansion of NK cells in the Cloudz Human NK Cell Expansion Kit?
Expansion of NK Cells in serum-free media is more challenging than expansion in media containing serum. Comparatively, donor to donor variability has a larger impact on NK cell expansion in serum-free media than in serum-containing media. We have found a robust expansion of NK cells using Bio-Techne brand ExCellerate Human NK Cell Expansion, Xeno-Free Media.
Cloudz Human T Cell Activation Kit and the Cloudz Human Treg Expansion kit both contain Cloudz CD3/CD28 antibodies. Can the antibodies provided in the kits be substituted for various cell types and provide the same results?
While both kits have the similar antibodies, each product is manufactured and optimized to each type of cell expansion (T cell or Treg). Use of Cloudz CD3/CD28 from one kit to another is not supported.