Applied BioPhysics, Inc. an analytical instrument manufacturer in Troy, NY, announces a new wound-healing array for automated label-free measurement of cell migration using Electric Cell-substrate Impedance Sensing (ECIS) instruments. Similar to the established ECIS migration assay, weak AC current is used to non-invasively monitor cell migration after an elevated electric field is used to wound cells on small gold electrodes. The new arrays feature line electrodes that measure 150 by 667 micrometers. These arrays produce wounds that mimic the shape of traditional mechanical scrapes and return migration data in shorter time than the standard ECIS circular electrodes. Measurements are automated and occur without opening the incubator door.
The new arrays are available in 8 well format and will be available in 96 wells in the near future. This new array was shown at the AACR and Experimental Biology conferences.
Published applications using ECIS include measurements of cell migration, endothelial barrier function, extravasation of normal cell layers by metastatic cells, signal transduction, cell-ECM interactions, cytotoxicity, cytopathic effects of viral infections and cell proliferation.