Investigation Of A Label Free Higher Density Cell Migration Assay

By P. Brescia, P. Banks, and C. Foster, BioTek Instruments

Complex biological or environmental signaling events can lead to cell migration, the movement of cells from one location to another. The migration of cells commonly occurs during both normal biological processes such as the development of an organism or marking pathological events such as cancer metastasis. This study used a high density cell exclusion assay in 384-well format for investigation of cell migration using a GFP-expressing breast cancer cell line. This study compared the use of a high density cell exclusion assay in 384-well format for investigation of cell migration using both a conventional tracking dye and label-free detection. The use of a biocompatible gel (BCG) deposited in a portion of the well was used to exclude cells during seeding. A cell free zone was revealed after dissolution of the BCG following media/cell addition to the wells. After cell attachment, compound addition can be made directly to the wells for investigation. An automated cell imaging microplate reader was used to determine the % confluence of cells migrating into the cell free zone using an algorithm integrated in the instrument control software.