PROOF OF CONCEPT FOR A DEVICE TO STANDARDIZE CELLULAR MIGRATION ASSAY EXPERIMENTS.

Abstract

One of the most common techniques for investigating the migration of human cells in culture is a "scratch assay" where a pipette tip is dragged through a layer of cells creating a "wound". Migration is then observed as the cells move back into the area that was cleared. While common, this method has drawbacks. It requires a seasoned hand to perform the "scratch", it leaves behind wounded remains of cells creating a unique microenvironment, and by design, the scratch is jagged and ununiform in nature. This research demonstrates the functionality of a cheap, easy to implement 3D printed device that mimics this assay. Its benefits include needing virtually no training to use, creating uniform areas for migration, and limiting cell death.