OkaMatrix is chemically identical to Matrigel. It is a reconstituted basement membrane derived from extracts of Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm mouse tumors. This laminin-rich mixture of OkaMatrix closely resembles the complex extracellular environment of the native basement membrane and is used for cell-culturing and in vivo model systems.
Why OkaMatrix is Superior to Matrigel
While Matrigel is the current gold standard, suppliers now have long lead times on Matrigel. Constant supply issues mean that Matrigel is not a reliable hydrogel source for researchers. The result is wasted researcher time and delays in potentially groundbreaking scientific breakthroughs.
OkaMatrix is chemically identical to Matrigel, and can be used in any application where Matrigel is used. With OkaMatrix, researchers now have a consistent and reliable source. Instead of waiting months, OkaMatrix is shipped within days of being ordered, so researchers can focus on what’s really important, their research!
Similarly, GelMA is actively biodegraded once transplanted, and is replaced by the natural extracellular matrix. When used in biological applications, GelMA grafts will not fall off, they naturally integrate into the host. This means that GelMA has the potential to replace skin grafting.
The incredible tunability of GelMA allows for highly customized degrees of methacrylation. It can be altered to any viscosity level and will still perform with a high degree of functionality. This makes it the right biomaterial for numerous applications.
Whether your research involves large-scale bioprinting, microfluidics, or anything in between, GelMA is the right biomaterial for you.
Why OkaGel (GelMA) ?
GelMA is a versatile biomaterial with a track record of bioprinting success. It has been used in numerous ground-breaking biomedical engineering and tissue regeneration research projects. GelMA is a gelatin-based hydrogel substituted with methacryoyl groups which crosslink in the presence of various wavelengths of light when a photoinitiator is added.
GelMA is the biomaterial of choice for bioprinting and tissue engineering applications because of its highly desirable physical properties. Since GelMA is derived from gelatin, a naturally occurring protein in mammals (including humans), it is highly biocompatible which greatly reduces chances of biological rejection.
WHO WE ARE
Who we Are
We are a diverse group of fearless individuals who each bring something special to the team. Together, we bring new perspectives, ideas, and expertise to every challenge we solve.
What we Do
We are here to revolutionize the biomaterials market through the production of hydrogels that are suitable for any application in the ever-expanding bioprinting and microfluidics industries.
Why choose OkaSciences
GelMA is a popular hydrogel used for bioprinting applications because of its mechanical properties and ease of printability. Depending on your research goals, GelMA is light curable using either UV or visible light. The degree of solidification is highly tunable based on light exposure time. GelMA’s gelatin protein structure allows for high biocompatibility, making it an excellent material for research of implantable devices. GelMA should be your first choice when you need adjustable mechanical properties and seamless bioprinting.
OkaSciences ETHOS
VISION
To facilitate life-changing biomedical research.
MISSION
OkaSciences' mission is to make bioprinting research accessible for everyone. We believe the ability to conduct science shouldn’t be exploited, and we aim to fairly trade our high-quality biomaterials in order to make the research process more efficient. In this way we can reach bioengineering breakthroughs faster.
OkaSciences was born when our researchers from the University of British Columbia wondered why the synthesis of Gelatin Methacrylate was so inefficient. We believed that such a useful biomaterial needed to be made more accessible so that life-saving bioprinting knowledge could be translated into clinical therapy faster.
Through many years of doctoral research and collaboration with some of world’s brightest minds, our process was perfected.