Cell migration is a highly integrated, multi-step process that plays an important role in the progression of various diseases including cancer, atherosclerosis and arthritis. There are various classifications of cell migration:

• Chemotaxis describes cell migration based on chemicals in a cell's surrounding environment. Chemotaxis can indicate cell migration either toward or away from a particular chemical signal. Our CytoSelect™ Chemotaxis Assays measure the migration of cells toward a chemoattractrant on the opposite side of a membrane. These assays use the traditional Boyden chamber in 24-well or 96-well configurations, and 3 different pore sizes are available to accommodate a wide variety of cell types.
• Haptotaxis describes the cell migration up a gradient of extracellular matrix-bound chemoattractants. Our CytoSelect™ Cell Haptotaxis Assays are similar to our 24-well chemotaxis assays, but the underside of the membrane inserts is coated with a thin layer of either Collagen I or Fibronectin.
• Transmigration describes the migration of cells (usually leukocytes or tumor cells) through the vascular endothelium toward a chemoattractant. CytoSelect™ Transmigration Assays quantify the interactions between these cells and the endothelium.
• Wound healing is a complex process that includes the migration of cells toward a point of injury in order to heal the wound and close the gap. Our CytoSelect™ Wound Healing Assay provides a significantly more accurate method to measure wound gap closure compared to the conventional scratch assay.

Cell invasion is related to, and encompasses, cell migration, except that cells do more than migrate. Invasive cells move through the extracellular matrix into neighboring tissues in a process that involves ECM degradation and proteolysis.

Selection Guide for Cell Migration and Invasion Assays