GradientEZ 3D 3D Cell Migration System, 6-Petal, 12/Pack

GradientEZ is a qualitative cell migration and invasion assay that enables cells to migrate in three dimensions as they do in living tissues. It is straightforward to use and works like a piece of. Simply, pipet cells in the center and add test agents to petals or lobes. Alternatively, add invasive cancer cells to the center and normal cells to lobes. Fluorescently labeled cells or cell populations added to the center or lobes may be imaged and analyzed in real time during or after cell migration studies using fluorescence microscopy.

GradientEZ is 400 um thick and easily wicks cells and extracellular matrices. It is ideally suited for invasion assays. For chemo-invasion assays, add cells to center and chemoattractant to lobes, or add cells to lobes and repellent to center.

GradientEZ enables testing of drug combination strategies in 3D, and for the first time, parallel testing of both attractants and repellants that are acting synergistically in the same well. Simply, add them to opposing lobes to monitor, for example, if inflammatory cells could be directed more efficiently from the central site of “chronic inflammation.” The 6-petal system fits into 24-well plates and larger dishes, and may be used to test agents for nerve regeneration studies. The 6-lobe system fits into 12-well plates and larger dishes.

HOW IT WORKS

• Migrating or invading cells, and different cell populations or test compounds may be added to the center and 6 petals or lobes.
• To test metastatic potential of cancer cells in vitro, add invasive cells to the center and normal cells (e.g. brain, lung, liver, bone, adrenal, etc.) to lobes and track invasion to begin to explain where they might metastasize in vivo

Features:

• Permits the generation of complex & reproducible gradients of soluble factors and substrate-bound molecules
• Supports co- and counter-gradients of multiple test compounds applied in chemotaxis, invasion, and chemoinvasion assays
• Enables concurrent testing of drug combination strategies - Enables the testing and study of metastases in vitro

Applications:

• 3D cell invasion
• 3D chemo-invasion
• 3D cell migration
• 3D chemotaxis
• Testing of metastatic potential by adding cancer cells to center and normal to lobes

Examples of use:

Data 1: Exemplary setup showing how to add invasive cancer cells to center and study their invasion of normal cells in lobes

Data 2: Exemplary setups showing how generate gradients, or test drug combination strategies in 3D

Why GradientEZ? 

Chemical concentration gradients influence normal physiological processes, evolution and progression of many diseases. GradientEZ substrates enable researchers to model and study gradient-dependent pathological conditions in 3D including cancer, inflammatory, infectious and autoimmune diseases. It also enables them to test therapeutic strategies in these models in vitro.

Technical Specifications:

GradientEZ Downloadable Flyers