Murata Announces Mass Production of CELLNETTA – the World’s First Metal Cell Fractionation Filter set to Accelerate R&D in Regenerative Medicine and Cell Therapy
Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. announces mass production of ‘CELLNETTA’ – the world’s first[1] metal cell fractionation filter[2] designed for the rapid and precise selection and recovery of target cells from cell suspensions[3]. Target applications include fractionation, concentration, and filtration in research and development for regenerative medicine technologies or cellular pharmaceuticals, as well as biotechnology across agriculture, forestry, food, and energy industries. The product will be showcased at the 24th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society for Regenerative Medicine, March 20-22, 2025, at Pacifico Yokohama North in Japan.
In recent years, regenerative medicine and cell therapy have gained worldwide recognition for their potential to treat previously incurable diseases by restoring lost cells or bodily functions. However, these advancements face significant challenges, including the substantial costs and time required for research and development. Innovative methods that can streamline this process are urgently needed to accelerate the delivery of effective medical technologies and pharmaceuticals to clinical settings.
CELLNETTA
In developing CELLNETTA, Murata focused on selecting and recovering target cells from cell suspensions – a critical step in research related to regenerative medicine and cell therapy. The filter features microscale pores arranged in a mesh structure on a thin metallic film, created using advanced thin-film microfabrication technology honed over years of electronic component manufacturing. By precisely controlling the pore sizes on the thin metal film, which minimizes cell adhesion, this filter enables efficient selection and recovery of target cells without leaving residues.
Historically, selecting and recovering target cells requires skilled personnel and equipment, such as centrifuges, or the use of membrane filters made from fibers or resins. CELLNETTA simplifies this process by eliminating the need for specialized skills and bulky devices, enabling quicker selection and recovery of target cells. This innovative method not only streamlines tasks that were once considered challenging with conventional techniques but also offers high-precision fractionation.
CELLNETTA enables efficient separation of target cells from the cell suspension without requiring pumps; simply pouring the liquid media through the filter’s large open area is sufficient. For instance, the time taken to pass 50 ml of Phosphate-Buffered Saline (PBS) through a conventional membrane filter with a pore size of 5 µm is approximately 320 s; with CELLNETTA, the time drops to 20 s[4]. When comparing CELLNETTA with a centrifuge, this time advantage is more pronounced. The time required to process a 10 ml cell suspension of HL-60 cells at a concentration of 1×10^5 cells/ml using a centrifuge is 5 to 15 mins, with CELLNETTA, it is approximately 50 s.
CELLNETTA is made from biocompatible metal materials designed to minimize any impact on the processed cells. Each filter is individually packaged and sterilized using gamma-ray irradiation to ensure maximum hygiene. Offered in six mesh sizes (5 µm, 10 µm, 15 µm, 20 µm, 100 µm, and 200 µm), the filter’s uniform pores allow for precise fractionation. By selecting the appropriate mesh size, CELLNETTA is adaptable for a wide range of target cell sizes and suitable for various applications.
Murata is dedicated to fostering innovation across various sectors, including healthcare, while providing solutions that address pressing social challenges. For more details, please visit here. For inquiries regarding CELLNETTA, click here.
Notes:
- According to Murata research as of March 12, 2025.
- This product is not a medical device.
- A cell suspension refers to a fluid that has cells or microorganisms suspended (floating or dispersed) in a liquid medium during culture. In research and technology development related to regenerative medicine, biotechnology, and cell biology, cell suspensions are managed throughout various processes such as tissue collection, cell purification, culture, passaging/splitting, administration, pre-surgical preparation, concentration, and quality inspection while selecting and recovering target cells.
- Since the membrane filter relies on applied pressure for fluid passage, it is not feasible to measure the flow times under identical conditions.