iMatrix Recombinant Laminin E8 Fragments

iMatrix-511 is an innovative cell culture matrix compatible with a wide variety of cell types, and exceptionally well suited for pluripotent stem cells. This product is comprised of recombinant Laminin-511 E8 protein fragments which permit ES/iPS cells to be maintained in xeno-free culture conditions, enable the passaging of single cells, and provide greater adhesion than full-length Laminin, Vitronectin or Matrigel.

Laminin-511 is a major component of the basement membrane, which is expressed in early development of the embryo and can be used as a matrix for pluripotent (ES/iPS) stem cells, as it binds to integrin on cell surfaces. However, Laminin-511 is a large protein (800kDa) composed of three chains (alpha, beta and gamma), making it difficult to produce recombinantly. In order to overcome this challenge, Laminin-511 proteins were fragmented to find the smallest integrin-binding component and hES cells were found to adhere more strongly to the E8 fragment than to the full-length protein.