The silicone substrates of CytoSoft® products are optically clear and have a low auto-florescence. The layer of silicone in each dish is firmly bonded to the bottom of the dish. Unlike hydrogels (such as polyacrylamide gels), silicone gels are not susceptible to hydrolysis, do not dry nor swell, are resilient and resistant to tearing or cracking, and their elastic moduli (rigidities) remain nearly unchanged during extended storage periods.