Aligned and random nanofibre 3-D inserts for multiwell plates
An understanding of directed cell migration and cell culture within an in vitro incubator is necessary for effective cancer drug discovery. However, cheap, flat plastic substrates (tissue culture polystyrene) do not mimic natural in vivo conditions. Researchers involved in drug discovery have realised the importance of moving towards 3-D cell culture, yet are hesitant due to the variability, cost and time-consuming methodologies involved. Affordable 3-D substrates are now available, for use as inserts or in multiwell culture plates, which effectively mimic human in vivo environments, allowing faster screening and more effective cancer and stem cell research. The aligned nanofibre products mimic the white matter of the brain, cardiac tissue, skeletal muscle, central nervous system tissue and parts of the eye, whilst the random nanofibre product is best suited to mimic most in vivo environments that don’t have natural alignment or orientation. This technology is applied to standard sized multiwell plates, which allows high-throughput testing, previously possible only in specialised labs. Cell migration can be quantified for extended periods of time, as the in vivo topography for guided cell migration is accurately mimicked. Live cell imaging to observe cell behaviour and mobility can be carried out in real time. Fully compatible with existing protocols for staining, viability and proliferation assays, RNA analysis, protein expression and automated plate readers, users are provided with increased sensitivity for drug interaction assays.
Nanofiber Solutions