December 21, 2012 -- AMSBIO has announced the launch of the 3D Culture BME Cell Invasion Assay to address the growing need for more complete and physiologically predictive cancer invasion models.
The kit uses a 3D Culture Qualified 96-Well Spheroid Formation Plate alongside a specialized Spheroid Formation extracellular matrix to drive aggregation and/or spheroid formation of cells. Upon completion of spheroid formation, the spheroid is embedded in an invasion matrix composed of basement membrane proteins. This matrix forms a hydrogel network on which invasive cells can travel.
At this point, invasion modulating agents can be applied to the system to evaluate the impact on cell response. Cell invasion is visualized microscopically and can be quantitated through image analysis software.
There is growing evidence that tumor cell aggregates or spheroids provide a more representative model of tumors in vivo than can be achieved with monolayers. Spheroids exhibit several relevant physiological traits including similar morphology, formation of cell-cell bonds, decreased proliferation rates, increased cell survival, tumor dormancy and a hypoxic core. Applying this model to in a 3D culture invasion assay provides a more physiological approach for assessing tumor invasion and providing a visual component that can be quantitated through image analysis.
