Aurora Microplates, an affiliate of Zeon, recently garnered significant recognition at the 2026 LRIG-NYC Spring Expo, securing the prestigious Best in Showcase award for its pioneering CELLAZIP microplate coating. This innovative non-biological solution is designed to enhance the consistency and reliability of cell-based assays, offering a superior alternative to conventional biological coatings. The accolade underscores CELLAZIP's potential to revolutionize scientific research and streamline laboratory automation processes by eliminating challenges such as variable batch quality and the need for specialized cold storage.
The CELLAZIP coating, developed by Zeon and integrated into Aurora’s ZEONOR® Cyclo Olefin Polymer (COP) microplates, represents a significant leap forward in cell culture technology. It facilitates adherent cell growth without relying on animal-derived materials, which often suffer from inconsistency and require stringent storage conditions. This advancement not only simplifies laboratory logistics but also ensures greater experimental reproducibility. The product is offered in two formulations, CELLAZIP-F and CELLAZIP-G, each tailored to support specific cell types, further demonstrating its versatility and broad applicability in diverse research settings.
Pioneering Cell Culture Technology Recognized
Aurora Microplates, a distinguished entity under the Zeon umbrella, proudly announced that its revolutionary CELLAZIP microplate coating was honored with the coveted Best in Showcase award at the 2026 LRIG-NYC Spring Expo. This esteemed recognition from the Laboratory Robotics Interest Group of New York City highlights CELLAZIP’s exceptional innovation and its profound impact on the scientific community. The award celebrates technologies that not only demonstrate technical excellence but also offer substantial value by significantly advancing scientific research, optimizing laboratory operations, and enhancing automation workflows. This triumph positions CELLAZIP as a leading solution in modern cell-based assay development.
The Best in Showcase award is a testament to CELLAZIP’s superior design and functionality, which addresses long-standing challenges in cell culture. Unlike traditional biological coatings that are prone to lot-to-lot variations and necessitate expensive cold-chain storage, CELLAZIP provides a robust, non-biological alternative. Its stability at room temperature for up to 24 months offers unparalleled convenience and cost-efficiency. A panel of experienced laboratory automation professionals, scientists, and industry experts rigorously evaluated entries based on innovation, scientific merit, practical application, user benefits, and presentation quality. Larry Atupem, Vice President of Aurora Microplates, emphasized that the award validates their commitment to meeting scientists’ demands for reliable, shelf-stable cell culture solutions, attributing the success to dedicated teamwork and valuable customer feedback.
Advancing Research with CELLAZIP Coatings
The CELLAZIP microplate coating is engineered to deliver highly reproducible results for cell-based assays used in screening, imaging, and various research applications. Manufactured by Zeon and applied to the durable ZEONOR® Cyclo Olefin Polymer (COP) base of Aurora’s microplates, it overcomes the inherent drawbacks of biological coatings such as poly-D-lysine (PDL), collagen, laminin, and fibronectin. By eliminating the need for animal-derived materials, CELLAZIP ensures a consistent, high-quality substrate free from the batch variability and strict cold storage requirements that often complicate experimental protocols and increase operational costs, thereby fostering more efficient and dependable scientific investigations.
Aurora Microplates offers CELLAZIP in two specialized formulations to cater to diverse cell culture needs. CELLAZIP-F serves as an effective alternative to poly-D-lysine, making it ideal for culturing neural cells, various cell lines, and primary cells, providing a consistent and supportive environment for their growth and function. Conversely, CELLAZIP-G is designed to replace fibronectin, specifically benefiting the culture of cardiomyocytes, stem cells, and muscle cells, which demand particular extracellular matrix components for optimal adhesion and differentiation. These tailored solutions ensure that researchers can select the most appropriate coating for their specific cellular models, facilitating more accurate and reproducible experimental outcomes across a broad spectrum of life science applications, from drug discovery to regenerative medicine.