SelectScience
Join Free
NewsLife Sciences

New Assay Provides Real-time Insights into Chemotaxis

Merck
27 Mar 2011
bridget bridget
Laboratory Director

Product news

EMD Millipore, the Life Science division of Merck KGaA* of Germany, today announced the introduction of the Millicell µ-Migration Assay Kit. This innovative slide-based platform can be used to visualize and measure the effects of chemoattractants on the migration of adherent cells in real time. The kit is ideal for studying metastatic behavior or the effects of toxins.

The Boyden chamber is the most commonly used assay for studying chemotaxis. This end-point assay uses chambers separated by a microporous filter. Cells migrate through the filter towards a chemoattractant. Despite its popularity, the assay has limitations. Boyden chambers do not allow for the establishment of a stable linear gradient, so the assay tends to have poor reproducibility. In addition, movement of cells through the filter cannot be visualized.

The Millicell µ-Migration Assay replaces the filter with micro-channels. Cells migrating in these channels can be directly observed and their progress can be quantitatively measured. Real-time observation of individual cells provides insight into a number of cell migration parameters, including directionality, velocity, and the migration index of tracked cells. In addition, the kit provides a stable linear concentration gradient for up to 48 hours.

With high optical properties similar to those of glass, the Millicell µ-Migration slide is suitable for the analysis of slow- or fast-moving cells by video microscopy. Up to three assays can be run in parallel on each slide with approximately 100 to 200 cells per assay.

The kit comes assembled and ready-to-use with a Millicell µ-Migration slide and migration assay reagents. It joins the Millicell µ-Angiogenesis Assay Kits in EMD Millipore's growing portfolio of cell-based assays.

Related products

Request Quote for All Products

Millicell μ-Migration Assay Kit

Merck

Live cell tracking of single cell or cell population migrationEstablishes a stable and linear concentration gradient that lasts ≥ 48 hoursHelps distinguish chemotaxis from random movementAllows for multiparametric analysis, including cell directionality and velocityEnhanced optical imaging of slow- and fast-migrating cellsAnalyze 3 chemoattractants in parallel for increased throughput and flexibilityNo need to spend time or money on optimizationReady to use, no assembly needed

(0)

Links

MerckCompany website

Tags

Cell Adhesion AssaysCell adhesion assays are used to quantitate attachment and analyze the molecular mechanisms for extracellular matrix adhesion, cell migration and sensitivity to inhibitors. Find the best cell adhesion assay equipment in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Cell / Tissue CultureCell culture or tissue culture is used to study the biology of cells or tissues and to isolate cellular products in an environment which can be manipulated and well defined. Accurately control your culture environment with bioreactors or culture incubators, bind your cells to a surface or together with an extracellular matrix. Distinguish cell types with differential media or proliferate cells with certain characteristics using selective media. Enrich your media with supplements such as growth factors, sera and vitamins. Find the best cell and tissue culture products, kits and equipment in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.OligonucleotidesOligonucleotides are small nucleic acid polymers, usually less than 20 bases in length. Oligonucleotides can be made via enzymatic cleavage or more commonly by chemical synthesis with polymerases. Their use includes FISH, southern blots, microarrays and as primers in PCR. High fidelity synthesis kits and detection systems are available for easy production and detection, respectively.Cell Lines Stem Cells and Primary CellsPrimary cell cultures, established cell lines and stem cells are vital for <i>in vitro</i> and <i>ex vivo</i> experimentation. High-quality cells, optimized for your applications, alongside optimized cell substrates, growth medium and supplements, are critical for experimental success. Explore a range of cells suitable for your applications, including isogenic cell lines, competent cells, induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cell lines, fungal/bacterial/mammalian cell lines, stem cells and cancer cell lines. Find the best cells for your research in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.Cell-Based AssaysCell-based assays are used to monitor the presence, quantity and activities of a desired cellular analyte including drug molecules or biomarkers. This can reveal information on cell health (apoptosis, cytotoxicity, viability and proliferation assays), cell metabolism, cell migration and cell signaling mechanisms. Find the best cell-based assay products, kits and equipment with our peer reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receiving pricing direct from manufacturers.Protein PurificationProtein purification is a vital step in drug discovery, therapeutics, biotech and life science research. The purification process typically involves subcellular or membrane protein extraction with cell lysis kits, separation of proteins from cell debris by filtration or spin columns, and the isolation of proteins of interest from other proteins and impurities with affinity purification (including fusion protein tags and antibody binding proteins A, G and L), immunoprecipitation or chromatographic methods, such as ion exchange, size exclusion and immobilized metal affinity chromatography. All purification methods come in multiple formats for your laboratory needs, including agarose or magnetic beads, resins, columns and filter plates. Find the best protein purification equipment in our peer-reviewed product directory: compare products, check customer reviews and receive pricing direct from manufacturers.BiomarkersBiomarkers are biological markers which can be measured and evaluated to indicate a biological state. The use of biomarkers in research and diagnosis can indicate a normal or disease state or drug response of cells / tissues. Biomarkers include genetic markers, cell surface markers such as antigens, antibodies or receptors and secreted molecules such as cytokines. An assay system is required for identification of biomarkers. :

Related articles