Cell Migration Assay
Cell migration is fundamental to normal biological processes, including embryonic development, angiogenesis, wound healing, immune response, and inflammation. Many researchers studying cell migration employ a qualitative scratch assay and/or the more quantitative Boyden Chamber technique. Two forms of cell migration that can be studied using Boyden Chambers are chemotaxis and haptotaxis.

Chemotaxis describes cell migration in response to extracellular chemical signals. Chemotaxis assays are ideal for assessing the effects of pharmacological compounds on the motility of tumor cells, for example, and for analyzing the migratory capacity of multiple cell lines in parallel.

Haptotaxis describes cell migration towards an immobilized extracellular matrix (ECM) protein gradient such as vitronectin, fibronectin, or collagen coated on the bottom of the Boyden Chamber insert.

PRODUCT HIGHLIGHT
QCM™ Chemotaxis Cell Migration Assay (96-well, fluorometric)

Human fibrosarcoma HT-1080 chemotaxis toward 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) was measured in the presence or absence of cytochalasin D, an inhibitor of actin polymerization. Note that cytochalasin D inhibits cell migration towards chemoattractant FBS. Assayed at multiple time intervals.
The chemotaxis cell migration assay measures directional cell movement in response to chemical concentration gradients. The kit does not require cell labeling, scraping, washing or counting. The 96-well insert and homogenous fluorescence detection format allows quantitative comparison of multiple samples and is especially useful for large scale screening of pharmacological agents. While multiple pore sizes are available, the 8 µm pore size of this assay's Boyden chambers is appropriate for migration studies of most cell types, but supports optimal migration for most epithelial and fibroblast cells.

PRODUCT HIGHLIGHT
QCM Endothelial Cell Migration Assay (24-well, fluorometric)

Migration assay using HUVECs plated on chambers coated with bovine serum albumin (BSA) or fibronectin (FN). Fetal bovine serum functions as an effective chemoattractant, stimulating cell migration on FN but not on BSA.
Angiogenesis, the formation of blood vessels, results from migration of endothelial cells and is regulated by ECM components, angiogenic, and anti-angiogenic factors. The endothelial cell migration assay provides a quick and efficient system to study a compound’s ability to induce or inhibit endothelial cell migration. This versatile assay permits counting of individual migratory cells, and more importantly, allows for quantitative analysis by optical density (OD) using a standard microplate reader.
For further biochemical analysis of cellular targets/receptors that play a role in cell migration, browse our selection of antibodies, proteins and inhibitors. Or search our selection of antibodies and assays directly by using the product search tool on the right.