Migration with Millicell

Millicell Cell Culture Inserts promote natural cell growth and unlike cells grown on plastic plates, membrane-supported cell cultures are shown to mimic more natural cell behavior.

Epithelial cells grown on microporous membrane demonstrate improved growth, structure and function. They have improved differentiation, more intracellular organelles, and higher cell densities. With Millicell microporous inserts, cells are given a three dimensional environment in which they can access media from both the apical and basolateral sides, resulting in improved cell morphology.

Proper cell growth is of key importance in cell migration assays as cell migration is a recurring theme in important morphogenic processes ranging from gastrulation to development of the nervous system. In the adult organism, cell migration remains prominent in both physiological and pathological conditions. Migration of fibroblasts and vascular endothelial cells is essential for wound healing. In metastases, tumor cells migrate from the initial tumor mass to localize in other areas of the body. Directed tumor cell motility by chemotaxis is the final step of tumor invasion, and the inhibition of this process has been a major focus of research. Cell migration is characterized by direct interaction of cells with the extracellular matrix, cell communication with neighboring cells, or chemoattractant stimuli triggering cell movement.

Millicell Cell Culture Inserts and HTS plates are key for successfully culturing cells for demanding high content screening applications such as cell migration assays. Click here to learn more about our Cell Migration Assays.