About CellScale Biomaterials Testing
Our Impact & Global Presence
CellScale’s mechanical testing systems and bioreactors have dozens of applications, including cardiac and cancer mechanobiology, soft robotics, hydrogel characterization, microtissue and spheroid mechanics, and many others. Our Waterloo, Ontario, Canada-based team works directly with research groups across six continents, and CellScale systems have been cited in more than 1,300 peer-reviewed publications going back to 2008. This level of global research presence reflects the quality of our products and the practical role they play in day-to-day experimental work.
Our testing equipment is distributed internationally through qualified regional partners in Europe, China, Korea, India, and Japan. Contact us if you’re interested in the CellScale distributor in your area.
The CellScale Story
The Beginning
CellScale Biomaterials Testing was founded in 2005 with a simple goal: to bring a custom mechanical testing system developed at the University of Waterloo into the broader research community. Our first project was a biaxial system created to study the relationship between glaucoma and scleral stiffness.
This work required new mounting methods for tough, rubbery material and the development of digital image correlation tools to measure strain across the sample surface. These early innovations eventually led to the production of the BioTester, which is now a core biomechanical testing system in laboratories worldwide.
New Projects
Our second major project involved a micro-scale uniaxial system designed to study the forces involved in axolotl tissue remodeling. This required the creation of cantilever-based microwire force sensors and a precise micro-actuation platform. The techniques developed in this work laid the foundation for the MicroSquisher, which was redesigned to become the MicroTester (a unique and powerful micro-scale mechanical tester).
Our work continued with adaptation of the BioTester to fit more universal biological applications. That model became the UStretch, which is now the UniVert (the most versatile low-force mechanical tester in the market).
Growth Through Collaboration
Over the years, working with dozens of research labs around the world, our catalogue has grown to include MechanoCulture mechanical stimulation bioreactors for tissue and cell culture studies, alongside our uniaxial, biaxial, and micro-scale mechanical testing systems.
Custom Solutions: We have also produced custom research instruments for specific needs. We’ve helped solve experimental constraints, sample limitations, and measurement gaps that required new approaches. Much of our development work begins with these practical challenges and evolves through ongoing collaboration as research questions change. See some case studies here.
Advancing Biomaterials Testing Through Purpose-Built Research Instruments
Helping researchers measure the mechanical behaviour of soft materials, tissues, and engineered constructs.
Precision
Because soft materials require accurate and stable load control
Collaboration
We work directly with research teams for new capabilities
Responsiveness
Fast, personal support for teams with time-sensitive projects
Upcoming Events & Conferences
You’re likely to find us at tissue engineering, biomechanics, and biomaterials conferences in US, Canada, and Europe. We often bring systems for live demonstrations and spend time talking with researchers about their own testing setups and challenges.
The CellScale Team
CellScale instruments are designed and supported by a team of engineers and technical staff. Many of us work directly with researchers during system selection and early use, answering questions and helping sort out experimental details as they come up. Most support happens one-on-one and continues as research needs change.
Institutions, Partners and Collaboration
We work with university labs, research hospitals, and independent research groups using CellScale systems in active studies. We offer lifetime technical support with our bioreactors and mechanical testing systems. Collaborations often involve feedback on system performance, testing protocols, or accessory design, and in some cases lead to custom hardware built for a specific application.
Canada
United States
Asia
Europe
Logos above represent institutions which published research using CellScale instruments. Logos are the property of their respective institutions.