We introduced our first-generation of Geltrex product over 15 years ago. Now, our Geltrex Flex matrix options maintain the same high level of quality with an improved product and sizing selection to allow you to order the type of matrix you want in the volumes you need. Geltrex Flex matrix is available in 1 mL, 5 mL and 10 mL sizes in reduced–growth factor, stem cell–qualified and organoid-qualified options. Discover what sets Geltrex Flex matrix apart, explore the products, and see data across multiple applications comparing different basement membrane matrix products.


Geltrex Flex matrix for 2D and 3D cell culture applications

A basement membrane matrix provides the stable foundation that many cell types need to thrive, making it a critical part of multiple workflows. Geltrex Flex matrix is a cell culture matrix product that supports growth of a variety of cells in 2D and 3D cell culture.

Three vial sizes (1 mL, 5 mL, 10 mL) allow you to purchase only the volumes you need.

  • Reduce upfront costs and avoid paying for excess volume you don’t need
  • Minimize variability resulting from freeze-thaw cycle of stored surplus
  • Reduce contamination risks from aliquoting extra volume

Geltrex Flex matrix undergoes rigorous testing to offer dependable results, helping give your experiments the best chance of success.

What is Geltrex Flex matrix?

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Geltrex Flex matrix is a basement membrane extract that contains laminin, collagen IV, entactin, and heparan sulfate proteoglycans It supports growth of a variety of cells in 2D and 3D cell culture, including primary cells, human pluripotent stem cells and the culture of organoids & tumoroids. See our selection guide or contact a specialist.

Geltrex Flex matrix example data and products by application

The appropriate matrix supports cell structure, influences functions, and recreates an in vivo environment for more physiological relevance. Explore the data comparing Geltrex Flex, Geltrex and competitor matrices by your research area.

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General cell culture

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Stem cell culture

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Organoid cell culture

Hepatocytes
Angiogenesis

hiPSC
Neuronal

Lung cancer organoid
Colorectal cancer organoid


Geltrex Flex matrix selection guide

Use our selection guide to determine the right matrix for your cells.

ApplicationProduct nameSizeCat. No.Supports
General cell cultureGeltrex Flex LDEV-Free Reduced Growth Factor Basement Membrane Matrix1 mLA4000046701
  • Attachment, proliferation, invasion, and migration studies
  • Other 2D and 3D cell culture applications
5 mLA4000046702
10 mLA4000046703
Stem cell cultureGeltrex Flex LDEV-Free hESC Qualified Reduced Growth Factor Basement Membrane Matrix1 mLA4000046801
  • Attachment and maintenance of human iPSCs and hESCs
  • Promotes stem cell expansion
5 mLA4000046802
10 mLA4000046803
Organoid cell cultureGeltrex Flex LDEV-Free Organoid-Qualified Reduced Growth Factor Basement Membrane Matrix1 mLA4000046901
  • Supports organoid growth and differentiation
  • Enables stable 3D dome formation and organotypic structure assembly in vitro
5 mLA4000046902
10 mLA4000046903

All our matrix products are phenol red-free to minimize the potential for estrogen-like effects and possible interference with downstream imaging applications. Phenol red can be added for customized needs, helping provide you with versatile and reliable cell culture solutions.

Need help or have questions? Contact a specialist

This free course comprises two interactive modules that were developed to help provide a succinct, contextual overview of spheroid and organoid culture model techniques and applications as well as various imaging modalities including high-content analysis.
Cancer Spheroid and Organoid eLearning Course

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Geltrex Flex matrix for general cell culture

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Geltrex Flex LDEV-Free Reduced Growth Factor Basement Membrane Matrix is designed as a supportive substrate for cell attachment, growth, and differentiation, mimicking the extracellular matrix. Explore the representative data comparing Geltrex Flex, Competitor M, and Geltrex matrices in hepatocyte culture and tube formation assays for angiogenesis using Geltrex Flex LDEV-Free Reduced Growth Factor Basement Membrane Matrix.

Table 1. Reduced Growth Factor Geltrex Flex matrix demonstrates the same ability to culture cells as comparable matrices from Competitor M and Geltrex matrix product lines with no statistically significant differences across multiple parameters.

Cell typeParameterEquivalent matrix performance
HUVECTube network formation
Primary hepatocytesCYP3A4 Activity
ATP Assay
Morphology


Hepatocyte viability and activity

Using a basement membrane matrix creates a more in vivo-like environment, which is critical for studying liver function, disease mechanisms, and drug responses accurately. Here we show data demonstrating the efficacy of reduced growth factor Geltrex Flex matrix for culture of primary human hepatocytes.

Figure 1. Geltrex Flex matrix supported primary human hepatocyte bile canaliculi formation and metabolic activity for at least 5 days after seeding following 2D sandwich culture method. Gibco Transporter Qualified Human Plateable Hepatocytes were thawed using Gibco Primary Hepatocyte Thawing and Plating Supplements and fed everyday with Gibco Primary Hepatocyte Maintenance Supplements in Gibco Williams’ E Medium. The cells were seeded in a Gibco 24-well Collagen I–coated plate, and a layer of Geltrex Flex and Geltrex matrix were added respectively to create a sandwich culture. (A) On day 5, the sandwich culture was live-stained with carboxy-DCFDA to visualize the formation of bile canaliculi in polarized hepatocytes. Fluorescent images were taken using an EVOS M7000 system and quantified using Invitrogen Celleste software. No significant differences were observed between Geltrex Flex and Geltrex matrices (p-value 0.05) (B) CYP3A4 activity of primary human hepatocytes was measured using a luciferase CYP3A4 assay. No significant differences were observed between Geltrex Flex and Geltrex matrices (p-value 0.05). Scale Bar 100 µm.


Images and bar charts showing bile canaliculi formation and CYP3A4 activity in hepatocytes cultured with Geltrex and Geltrex Flex matrices.
 Click image to enlarge

Figure 2. Geltrex Flex matrix supported primary human hepatocyte bile canaliculi formation and metabolic activity for at least 5 days after seeding following 2D sandwich culture method. Gibco Transporter Qualified Human Plateable Hepatocytes were thawed using Gibco Primary Hepatocyte Thawing and Plating Supplements and fed everyday with Gibco Primary Hepatocyte Maintenance Supplements in Gibco Williams’ E Medium. The cells were seeded in a Gibco 24-well Collagen I–coated plate and a layer of GeltrexFlex and Geltrex matrix was added respectively to create a sandwich culture. (A) On day 5, the sandwich culture was live stained with carboxy-DCFDA to visualize the formation of bile canaliculi in polarized hepatocytes. Fluorescent images were taken using an EVOS M7000 system and quantified using Invitrogen Celleste software. No significant differences were observed between Geltrex Flex and Geltrex matrices (p-value 0.05) (B) CYP3A4 activity of primary human hepatocytes was measured using a luciferase CYP3A4 assay. No significant differences were observed between Geltrex Flex and Geltrex matrices (p-value 0.05). Scale Bar 100 µm.

Angiogenic index and endothelial cell tube viability

A basement membrane matrix helps provide a suitable and supportive environment for studying the complex process of angiogenesis, making it easier to observe and analyze the formation of new blood vessels under controlled conditions.

Figure 3. GeltrexFlex supports in vitro endothelial cell tube formation assay. Gibco human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were seeded on a 48 Nunc plate with a Geltrex Flex or Geltrex matrix layer (100 µL/cm2) using Gibco Human Larve Vessel Endothelial Cell Basal Medium supplemented with Gibco Large Vessel Endothelial Supplement (LVES). At hours 18 post seeding, the endothelial cell tube network was stained for live cells using Invitrogen Calcein AM. Wider view of the endothelial cell tube network throughout the well (A) and a representative image of the well (B). (C) The endothelial cell tube network branching, topology, and connectivity was assessed using Calcein AM images captured and analyzed by the CellInsight CX7 HCS platform. No significant difference between matrices was observed (p-value 0.05). Scale Bar 200 µm.


Basement membrane extracts qualified for stem cell cultures

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A qualified stem cell matrix helps ensure cell viability, supports proper differentiation, and maintains pluripotency, helping provide a consistent and optimal environment for reliable and reproducible research outcomes. Our Geltrex Flex LDEV-Free hESC Qualified Reduced Growth Factor Basement Membrane Matrix are tested to help ensure they promote hESC and hiPSC stem cell attachment and effectively maintain iPSC in a pluripotent state.

Table 2.Geltrex Flex matrix displays equivalent performance to Competitor M for multiple measurements of healthy stem cell culture. All matrices ​maintained a healthy hiPSC colony morphology, promoted PSC colony expansion measured by cumulative population doublings, population doubling time and viability, demonstrated similar markers of stem cell pluripotency, tested positive for self renewal and were successfully induced into neural stem cells with similar stem cell markers.

Cell typeParameterEquivalent matrix performance
Human pluripotent stem cellMorphology
Growth
Viability
Pluripotency markers
Gene expression
Neural stem cell induction


Pluripotent stem cell morphology, growth, viability, and pluripotency

Using a basement membrane matrix enhances reprogramming efficiency, supports self-renewal and maintains pluripotency of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). The matrix improves cell attachment, growth, and promotes the formation of homogeneous colonies.

Figure 4. Geltrex Flex matrix maintained a healthy hiPSC colony morphology. Feeder-free hiPSCs were initially grown in Nunc Delta treated plates coated with Geltrex matrix and then transitioned to Geltrex, Geltrex Flex, and Competitor M matrix coated plates, using Gibco StemFlex Medium and single-cell passaged using Gibco TrypLE reagent. Morphology was monitored throughout 5 passages. No changes in morphology were observed across matrices. The presence of defined borders and tight cellular packing are indicative of a healthy pluripotent stem cell colony. The hiPSC line somatic source was BJ fibroblasts and was reprogrammed using Invitrogen CytoTune-iPSC Reprogramming Kit. Images were captured at 10x magnification on an EVOS M7000 system. Scale bar 400 µm.​


Figure 5. Geltrex Flex matrix performed comparable to Geltrex matrix, and Competitor M in promoting hiPSC colony expansion over multiple single-cell passages Feeder-free hiPSCs were initially grown in Nunc Delta treated plates coated with Geltrex matrix and then transitioned to Geltrex, Geltrex Flex, and Competitor M matrix coated plates, using Gibco StemFlex Medium and single-cell passaged using Gibco TrypLE reagent. (A) Colony growth and expansion were monitored over 5 passages. Confluency growth curves were similar across matrices over 5 passages. (B) Quantification of population doublings showed no significant differences between matrices for hiPSC expansion over multiple passages. (C) Cells were recovered from matrix-coated plates with high cell viability (%) across multiple passages. No significant difference between matrices was observed (p-value 0.05).​


Figure 6. Pluripotency potential was maintained in hiPSCs expanded in Geltrex Flex matrix. Feeder-free hiPSCs were expanded on Nunc Delta treated plates coated with Geltrex Flex, Geltrex or Competitor M matrix. hiPSCs were cultured using Gibco StemFlex Medium and single-cell passaged using Gibco TrypLE reagent. Markers of self-renewal and primary germ layers was assayed using the Applied Biosystems TaqMan® hPSC Scorecard Panel and run on the Applied Biosystems QuantStudio 12K Flex Real-Time PCR System. TaqMan hPSC Scorecard summary shows positive (+) score for comparable expression of self-renewal markers (Self) and Negative “-” scores for germ layer markers in undifferentiated samples indicate lower levels of differentiation factors for ectoderm (Ecto), mesoderm (Meso), endoderm (Endo) relative to the undifferentiated reference set.


Neural stem cell induction

Geltrex Flex matrix provides the stable foundation to support neural stem cell induction with PSC Neural Induction Medium.

Figure 7. Pluripotency potential was maintained in hiPSCs expanded in GeltrexFlex matrix. Neural Stem cells were generated from hiPSCs using GibcoPSC Neural Induction Medium for 7 days on Nunc Delta treated plates coated with Geltrex Flex, Geltrex or Competitor M matrix. (A) Cells were singularized using Gibco TrypLE reagent and induction efficiency was calculated using Invitrogen Attune NxT Flow Cytometer following dual staining for neural stem cell markers (SOX1+/Nestin+). No significant difference in differentiation efficiency was observed between matrices (p-value 0.05). Primary antibodies (SOX1, Nestin) and secondary antibodies (Alexa Fluor 488,594) were acquired from Thermo Fisher Scientific (B). (C) Cells were stained for neural stem cell markers SOX1 (B) and SOX2 (C) using the Human Neural Stem Cell Immunocytochemistry Kit. Images were taken with an EVOS M7000 system. Scale bar = 75 µm, magnification 40x. Induction efficiency was calculated by colocalization of neural stem cell markers SOX1 (B) and SOX2 (C) against DAPI using Invitrogen Celleste software. No significant difference between matrices was observed (p-value 0.05).​


Qualified cell culture extracellular matrix for organoid cultures

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An organoid-qualified matrix helps in the culture of organoids as it supports their 3D structure, promotes cell viability and growth, facilitates functional differentiation, and helps ensure experimental reproducibility. Geltrex Flex LDEV-Free Organoid-Qualified Reduced Growth Factor Basement Membrane Matrix supports culture of mouse intestinal, liver ductal, and airway organoids as well as expansion of mouse small intestinal. Geltrex Flex matrix also supports growth of colorectal cancer organoids (tumoroids) in stable 3D dome structures as well as in suspension.

Table 3. Geltrex Flex matrix grows colorectal tumoroids effectively. Similar growth, gene expression and morphology was observed across different matrices (Geltrex matrix and Competitor M).

Cell typeParameterEquivalent matrix performance
Colorectal cancer organoid (tumoroid)—embeddedMorphology
Growth and expansion
Gene expression
Colorectal cancer organoid (tumoroid)—suspensionSingle nucleotide variants
Morphology
Growth and expansion
Gene expression
Single nucleotide variants

Colorectal tumoroid cultures

Matrices facilitate the study of cell-ECM interactions critical for cancer progression, help provide a realistic platform for drug testing, help maintain tumor heterogeneity, and allow modeling of the tumor microenvironment. Here we demonstrate the growth of colorectal tumoroids on Geltrex Flex Organoid Qualified Matrix.

Figure 8. Morphology of human colorectal cancer organoids grown on different matrices. Human colorectal cancer organoids (HuCo021320) were embedded in Geltrex Flex, Geltrex, or Competitor M matrix and grown for 4 passages using the Gibco OncoPro Tumoroid Culture Medium Kit. The cystic morphology of this donor relies on support from the extracellular matrix and was maintained across all conditions. Images were captured with a 20 µm Z stack distance at 10x magnification on an EVOS M7000 system. Scale bar = 275 µm.


Figure 9. Human colorectal cancer organoids (tumoroids) grown in suspension with Geltrex Flex matrix maintained their characteristic growth rate. Cancer organoids (HuCo021320) were grown suspended in OncoPro Tumoroid Culture Medium supplemented with 2% v/v of Geltrex Flex, Geltrex, or Competitor M matrix for 3 passages. (A) Cumulative population doublings over time in culture, (B) Doubling times for each passage, and (C) cell viability (trypan blue exclusion) at each passage after dissociation using StemPro Accutase Cell Dissociation Reagent showed comparable organoid growth between matrices (p-value 0.05).


Figure 10. Geltrex Flex matrix maintained human colorectal cancer organoid (tumoroid) transcriptional profiles. Correlation matrices gene expression levels (log2(RPM+1)) for over 20,000 human RefSeq genes (A) and for 1,423 cancer-related genes (B) of a human colorectal cancer organoid (tumoroid) line (HuCo021320) cultured for four passages while embedded in Geltrex Flex, Geltrex, or Competitor M matrix. High correlation between matrices was maintained (≥96%). Bulk RNA profiling was performed using the Ion GeneStudio S5 Prime and libraries prepared using the Ion Chef and the Ion AmpliSeq Transcriptome Human Gene Expression Panel, Chef-Ready kit. ​


Geltrex Flex matrix FAQs

  1. What is Geltrex Flex matrix?
    Geltrex Flex matrix is a basement membrane matrix that helps provide the stable foundation cells need to thrive, by supporting growth of a variety of cells in 2D and 3D. Geltrex Flex matrix comes in reduced growth factor, organoid qualified and stem cell qualified options all in 1 ml, 5 mL and 10 mL sizes.
  2. What is Geltrex Flex matrix composition?
    Geltrex Flex matrix composition is a proprietary formulation of laminin, collagen IV, entactin, and heparan sulfate proteoglycans to support a variety cell types. Geltrex matrix composition is also proprietary and has similar key proteins in formula.
  3. What is the Geltrex Flex matrix coating protocol?
    Reference our Geltrex matrix coating protocol Growing Cells in Geltrex Reduced Growth Factor Basement Membrane Matrix to see how to coat plates with a basement membrane matrix. Geltrex and Geltrex Flex matrix are functionally equivalent. Explore the data.
  4. Why don’t you have a phenol red version of Geltrex Flex matrix?
    All our matrix products are phenol red-free to help ensure precise color detection and eliminate estrogenic effects in your research. Phenol red can be added for customized needs, helping provide you with versatile and reliable cell culture solutions.
  5. What is a qualified product? How are organoid and stem cell Geltrex Flex matrix options qualified?
    Products are manufactured in the same way and undergo different quality control tests to confirm suitability for specific applications.
    • Stem cell growth assay (hESC and hiPSC)—matrix supports growth and expected morphology of iPSC and H1 hESC cell lines over 5 passages
    • Organoid passage assay—matrix supports culture of mouse intestinal, liver ductal, and airway organoids; supports expansion of mouse small intestinal organoids for more than 5 passages
  6. I’ve been using Geltrex matrix. What version of Geltrex Flex matrix should I order? 
    The recommended version of Geltrex Flex matrix is listed in the table below depending on the type of Geltrex matrix you utilized. Geltrex Flex matrix is also offered in 10 mL sizes as well as in an organoid qualified version, previously not offered in Geltrex Flex matrix. Data comparing Geltrex to Geltrex Flex matrix can be explored here.
Product typeOriginal Geltrex matrix Cat. No.Geltrex Flex matrix Cat. No.Geltrex Flex matrix productSize
Reduced Growth Factor Basement Membrane MatrixA1413201A4000046701Geltrex Flex LDEV-Free Reduced Growth Factor Basement Membrane Matrix1 mL
A1413202A4000046702Geltrex Flex LDEV-Free Reduced Growth Factor Basement Membrane Matrix5 mL
-A4000046703Geltrex Flex LDEV-Free Reduced Growth Factor Basement Membrane Matrix10 mL
hESC Qualified Reduced Growth Factor Basement Membrane MatrixA1413301A4000046801Geltrex Flex LDEV-Free hESC Qualified Reduced Growth Factor Basement Membrane Matrix1 mL
A1413302A4000046802Geltrex Flex LDEV-Free hESC Qualified Reduced Growth Factor Basement Membrane Matrix5 mL
-A4000046803Geltrex Flex LDEV-Free hESC Qualified Reduced Growth Factor Basement Membrane Matrix10 mL
Organoid-Qualified Reduced Growth Factor Basement Membrane Matrix-A4000046901Geltrex Flex LDEV-Free Organoid-Qualified Reduced Growth Factor Basement Membrane Matrix1 mL
-A4000046902Geltrex Flex LDEV-Free Organoid-Qualified Reduced Growth Factor Basement Membrane Matrix5 mL
-A4000046903Geltrex Flex LDEV-Free Organoid-Qualified Reduced Growth Factor Basement Membrane Matrix10 mL

 

*No purchase necessary. This promotion is available only to life science professionals 21 years or older in the US (excluding Puerto Rico) and Canada. Sample requests must be received by 1/01/2026 or until sample supplies are depleted, whichever comes first. The sample is 1 mL. Limit one free sample per customer. Cannot be combined with other discounts or promotion. Offer void where prohibited, licensed or restricted by federal, state, provincial, or local laws or regulation or agency/institutional policy. Other restrictions may apply.

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