NIH3T3

Cell interactions with a surface influences behaviors such as proliferation, migration and differentiation. In order to study the behavior of a cell in relation to cell migration, the scrape or wound healing assay can be incorporated. Although there are many variations of the assay, the classic scrape assay is performed by making a scratch or wound in the monolayer of cultured cells. Using photographic data, cell migration into the area of the wound can be quantified using images captured during the experiment... The scrape assay is an older technology with many flaws incorporated during the formation of the wound (i.e. inconsistent pressure applied to well bottom, cell confluency at wound site, etc). To combat these inconsistencies, there are now chemical and automated ways to create the wound for migration studies. Also, there are cartridge style assays in which cells exhibit migration through a membrane in pursuit of fresh culture medium.