Murata Manufacturing Unveils the World’s First Metal Cell Filter, “CELLNETTA,” for Efficient Cell Separation
Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd., a global leader in electronic components, has announced the commercialization of the world’s first metallic cell filter, CELLNETTA, a revolutionary product designed to quickly, easily, and precisely separate target cells from cell suspensions. This breakthrough product promises to enhance the efficiency of research and development processes in critical fields like regenerative medicine and cell therapy. These fields, which focus on restoring lost body cells and functions, require sophisticated technologies to process and prepare living cells. CELLNETTA is set to play a pivotal role in advancing these areas by offering an effective solution for separating cells, a process that is integral to the success of these therapies.
Introduction to CELLNETTA and its Impact
Murata’s innovative product, CELLNETTA, will contribute significantly to the growth of regenerative medicine, cell therapy, and drug discovery. The new metallic cell filter, which uses cutting-edge microfabrication technology, is designed to overcome the limitations of traditional cell separation methods, such as centrifugation and membrane filters. These conventional methods often suffer from issues like the need for specialized skills, slow processing times, and difficulty achieving precision in separation. By offering an easier and more efficient alternative, CELLNETTA allows researchers and manufacturers to accelerate progress in cell-based therapies.
Scheduled to begin mass production in November 2024 at Murata’s domestic manufacturing facility, the product is also expected to be featured at the 24th General Meeting of the Japanese Society for Regenerative Medicine, which will be held at Pacifico Yokohama North from March 20 to 22, 2025.
Why CELLNETTA is a Game-Changer
CELLNETTA is a unique metal filter that features micropores as small as a few micrometers, created through Murata’s advanced thin film microfabrication technology. The product is much thinner—by up to 1/10 to 1/25 of the thickness of traditional membrane filters—and considerably more efficient. As a result, the filter reduces pressure loss during liquid passage, which enables the target cells to be separated from the liquid medium in a significantly shorter amount of time.
This innovative design allows for the separation of cells from a suspension with no need for pumps or complex machinery. The product achieves a high level of precision, as the metal filter prevents cells from sticking to its surface, unlike conventional filters made from woven fibers. Additionally, due to its robust metal construction, the filter’s structure remains stable, ensuring that cell separation can be carried out without any residual contamination. This level of precision and ease makes CELLNETTA a valuable tool for researchers working in regenerative medicine, biotechnology, and cell therapy.
Benefits and Features of CELLNETTA
1. Rapid Cell Separation
One of the most remarkable features of CELLNETTA is its ability to quickly separate target cells from cell suspensions. By simply pouring in the suspension, the target cells are isolated within seconds. The following comparison illustrates the dramatic difference in time required between CELLNETTA and conventional methods:
- Example 1: When passing 50 ml of PBS (physiological saline) through a traditional 5 µm membrane filter, the process takes approximately 5 minutes. In contrast, CELLNETTA completes the task in just 20 seconds.
- Example 2: For a 10 ml cell suspension (HL-60 cells at 1 x 10⁵ cells/ml), using a centrifuge to separate cells can take 5 to 15 minutes. CELLNETTA, however, completes the process in about 50 seconds.
This dramatic time-saving feature will enhance research productivity and is especially crucial for applications where quick and accurate cell separation is essential.
2. High Precision Fractionation
The uniform micropores in CELLNETTA allow for highly accurate fractionation of cells. Depending on the required application, users can select from a range of mesh sizes to achieve the precise separation needed for different cell types. The high-precision fractionation ensures that only the target cells are isolated, making it an invaluable tool for cell-based therapies and biomedical research.
3. Biocompatibility and Hygiene
Given its application in cell therapy and regenerative medicine, CELLNETTA is made from a metal material with excellent biocompatibility. This minimizes any adverse impact on the cells during processing. To ensure the highest levels of hygiene and sterility, each CELLNETTA filter is gamma-irradiated and packaged individually. This ensures that the product is free from any contaminants, providing a safe and reliable tool for cell separation.
4. Wide Range of Mesh Sizes
To cater to different applications and target cells, CELLNETTA is available in six different mesh sizes: 5 µm, 10 µm, 15 µm, 20 µm, 100 µm, and 200 µm. This wide range of options makes it suitable for use in various research and manufacturing scenarios, from basic research to large-scale production in cell therapy.
Specifications of CELLNETTA
- Product Name: CELLNETTA MZM1 series
- Mesh Sizes: 5 µm, 10 µm, 15 µm, 20 µm, 100 µm, 200 µm
- Product Size: Fits 50 ml centrifuge tubes
- Sterilization: Gamma irradiated
- Packaging: Individually packaged
- Purchase Units: Available in single pieces or packs of 5
These specifications allow for the flexible use of CELLNETTA in a variety of scientific applications, providing the necessary tools for efficient and effective cell separation.
Main Applications of CELLNETTA
The CELLNETTA filter is designed for a range of applications in regenerative medicine, biotechnology, and drug discovery, particularly in areas where cell processing is critical. Some of the main applications include:
- Fractionation and Sorting: Isolating specific types of cells from complex mixtures for use in therapy or research.
- Concentration: Concentrating cells for downstream processes such as culture or analysis.
- Filtration: Removing unwanted components from cell suspensions while retaining the target cells.
These capabilities make CELLNETTA an indispensable tool for cell therapy, drug discovery, and other areas of biomedical research.
Conclusion: Revolutionizing Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine
The introduction of CELLNETTA marks a significant step forward in the advancement of cell therapy and regenerative medicine. By offering a faster, simpler, and more precise method of separating target cells from suspensions, Murata’s new metallic filter addresses several key challenges faced by researchers in these fields. The ability to achieve high-precision separation in a fraction of the time compared to conventional methods will accelerate the development of new medical technologies and therapeutic approaches.
As regenerative medicine and cell therapy continue to evolve, the need for efficient, reliable, and scalable technologies will only increase. CELLNETTA is poised to play a central role in meeting this demand, offering a solution that simplifies the cell separation process while maintaining the highest standards of accuracy and hygiene.
With mass production set to begin in late 2024, and its expected exhibition at the 2025 General Meeting of the Japanese Society for Regenerative Medicine, CELLNETTA is positioned to be a transformative tool in the fields of regenerative medicine, biotechnology, and beyond.
For details, please visit the CELLNETTA page .
For inquiries about CELLNETTA, please click here .
