Shear Flow
BioFlux Systems
In Vivo Biology Isn't Static. Why Are Your Assays?
- Bridge the gap between in vitro and in vivo experiments with controlled shear stress and complete microenviromental control
- Achieve high throughput imaging of up to 24 experiments per plate by growing, assaying, and imaging in a well plate
- Easily acquire high-resolution images with coverslip glass bottom plates
- Customize assays to fit your needs with dual flow microfluidic channels and pulsatile flow with wall shear stresses from 0-200 dyn/cm2
- Easy-to-use and cost-effective - Calculate Your Savings
How BioFlux Works
The Next Generation of BioFlux Shear Flow Systems
The new BioFlux 200+ and BioFlux 1000HT enhance the production of physiologically accurate and reproducible data by including pulsatile flow and dual gas capabilities, at a better price than before.
BioFlux 200+The BioFlux Solution for Your Existing Microscope
BioFlux 200+
BioFlux 1000HTThe Completely Customizable BioFlux Solution for Ultimate Imaging Flexibility
BioFlux 1000HT
The BioFlux Solution for Your Existing Microscope
The BioFlux 200+ offers all of the benefits of an easy-to-use and flexible system while being compatible with most inverted microscopes. It provides a high-content screening platform for running physiologically-relevant shear flow assays.
A shear flow system that seamlessly incorporates into your existing lab setup.
The Completely Customizable BioFlux Solution for Ultimate Imaging Flexibility
The BioFlux 1000HT offers nearly unlimited flexibility with respect to microscope options, software analysis, and image capture. It provides a high content screening platform for running physiologically-relevant shear flow assays.
The ultimate turnkey solution for imaging flexibility and capability.
BioFlux Applications
Antimicrobial Screens
Analyze effectiveness of novel antimicrobials on biofilm growth under shear flow
Cancer Research Applications
Create two adjacent micro-environments to analyze cell migration and invasion.
Cell Adhesion & Rolling
Visualize and quantify the leukocyte adhesion cascade over time using time-lapse microscopy
Host-Pathogen Interactions
Form fungal and bacterial biofilms on epithelial monolayers in vitro
Medical Device Infections
PDMS and custom microfluidic plates mimic medical device infection environment
Platelet Aggregation & Adhesion
Study the mechanisms of thrombus formation and treatment strategies under biological flow
Vascular Biology
Image properly aligned endotheial cells, examine cell permeability, and more
More Samples, Less Spend
Save Time and Money
Slide-based parallel plate flow chambers may seem like a good way to enhance the physiological relevance of your experiments; however, the setup, validation, and consumable costs can be a burden.
Calculate Your Savings
Watch a Demonstration
What Customers Say
See the Cellular Impact of Shear Flow
BioFlux FAQs
How can I do shear flow experiments with whole blood?
Whole blood shear flow experiments can be performed using a microfluidic platform that applies controlled shear stressThe tangential force per unit area from flowing fluid; a key parameter in vascular biology, platelet function, leukocyte rolling, and biofilm adhesion studies. while supporting real-time imaging and biologically relevant surfaces. The BioFlux Shear Flow System enables whole blood perfusion through plate-based microchannels, making it possible to study adhesion, thrombus formation, and other blood-cell interactions under physiologic flow conditions.
How can vascular-endothelium microenvironments be studied under shear flow conditions?
Vascular-endothelium microenvironments can be studied by culturing endothelial cells in microfluidic channels and exposing them to defined shear stress that mimics blood flow. The BioFlux Shear Flow System supports endothelial cell coatings, controlled flow profiles, and live-cell imaging, helping researchers model vessel-like environments in vitro with greater physiological relevance.
How can I do downstream genomic analyses after shear flow experiments?
Downstream genomic analyses after shear flow experiments can be done by exposing cells to controlled flow, then recovering those cells for RNA extraction, sequencing, or other molecular workflows. With the BioFlux Shear Flow System, researchers can perform shear flow studies in a reproducible microfluidic environment and then collect samples for downstream genomic analysis to connect mechanical stimulation with gene-expression changes.
How does shear stress affect endothelial cells?
Shear stress affects endothelial cells by regulating morphology, alignment, barrier function, inflammation, and gene expression. Using the BioFlux Shear Flow System, researchers can apply defined shear conditions to endothelial cells in vitro and observe how flow influences endothelial behavior in ways that are more representative of the vascular microenvironment.
How can I grow biofilms under shear stress?
Biofilms can be grown under shear stress by using a flow-based culture system that continuously exposes microbial communities to controlled fluid movement. The BioFlux Shear Flow System allows researchers to grow and image biofilms under reproducible shear conditions, helping them study adhesion, maturation, structure, and treatment response in a more realistic environment than static wells.
How can I increase the physiological relevance of biofilm studies?
The physiological relevance of biofilmA structured microbial community attached to a surface, typically more tolerant to antibiotics/biocides than planktonic cells. studies can be increased by incorporating shear stress, continuous nutrient flow, and surface conditions that better reflect real biological environments. The BioFlux Shear Flow System improves biofilm model relevance by enabling controlled shear flow in microfluidic channels, which better mimics the conditions biofilms experience in vivo than traditional static assays.
How can I study platelet activation under shear stress?
Platelet activation under shear stress can be studied by perfusing blood or platelet-containing samples through coated microchannels under defined flow conditions. The BioFlux Shear Flow System makes it possible to evaluate platelet adhesion, activation, and thrombus formation under controlled shear stress with image-based analysis in a microfluidic format.
How can I increase the physiological relevance of platelet aggregation studies?
Platelet aggregation studies become more physiologically relevant when they include shear stress, vascular-like surfaces, and dynamic flow rather than static incubation alone. The BioFlux Shear Flow System helps create more biologically meaningful platelet aggregation assays by reproducing flow conditions that influence platelet behavior in circulation.
Can BioFlux systems be used in an aseptic environment?
Yes! BioFlux controllers measure 12.5 in (31.75 cm) width x 9.5 in (24.13 cm) height x 13 in (33.02 cm) length (not including tubing and interface), which easily fits into most laminar flow hoods. In addition, all BioFlux plates are individually sterile packaged. Furthermore, because BioFlux systems use pneumatic pressure to drive shear flow, there is no contact between the interface or tubing with anything on the BioFlux plate. This means that the BioFlux tubing remains clean and does not need to be cleaned or changed between experiments.
What type of microscope can I use with BioFlux systems?
Because BioFlux plates are Society for Biomolecular Screening (SBS) standard size, BioFlux systems are compatible with most inverted microscopes.
Do have to use an entire BioFlux plate all at once?
No, every BioFlux plate comes with a sterile adhesive sheet that can be placed on the plate as soon as it is opened. The user can then simply pierce the sheet for the wells that will be used for the experiment, saving the unused wells for later experiments.
Is analysis software included?
All BioFlux systems include standard BioFlux Control Software. Advanced analysis can be performed using BioFlux Montage Plus software, which can be purchased anytime for BioFlux 200+. BioFlux Montage Plus software is standard with BioFlux 1000HT. Furthermore, BioFlux data can easily be exported to the analysis software of your choice.
Is a plate heater included with all BioFlux systems?
All BioFlux controllers are standardly equipped with heating plate connections. However, a glass bottom heating plate (200+) or a heating adapter for the microscope stage (1000HT) must be purchased separately.
What other options are available? Can I upgrade after purchasing?
Heating options for either BioFlux 1000HT or BioFlux 200+ can easily be added at any time. BioFlux Montage Plus software is standard for BioFlux 1000HT systems and can be purchased separately for BioFlux 200+ systems. Additional features, including pulsatile flow and dual gas are now standard features of all BioFlux Shear Flow Systems.
BioFlux FAQs
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