Applications
Application reviews and reports of cellQART®
Air-liquid interface (ALI)
Airway epithelial cells grown at the Air-liquid interface (ALI) are fundamental to test aerosolized drugs, measure the health effect of air pollutants and tobacco, model respiratory diseases and study infections like SARS-CoV-2, among others. Learn the basics of ALI cultures in this mini review!
Co-cultures
Co-cultures are defined as cell culture models in which two or more cell types are grown, with or without direct cell-to-cell contact. Co-cultures can be used to study interactions between cell populations, to improve cultivation success of certain cells or in tissue engineering, among others. Different cell types can be grown on both sides of the membrane of a Cell Culture Insert.
Endothelial cell cultures
Endothelial cells form the inner lining of blood and lymphatic vessels, they act as a selective permeability barrier, prevent coagulation and help to regulate inflammatory reactions. Cell Culture Inserts are excellent supports for endothelial cells as they allow for apical and basolateral compartments.
Epithelial cell cultures
Epithelial cells line the major cavities of the body, and they serve functions such as protection, secretion, absorption, excretion, and filtration. Cell Culture Inserts are excellent supports for epithelial cells as they allow for apical and basolateral compartments, as well as air-liquid-interface cultures.
Invasion assays
Cell invasion plays a key role in embryonic development and cancer metastasis. In the cell invasion assay, the ability of cells to migrate and invade an extracellular matrix placed on top of the semipermeable membrane of a Cell Culture Insert is measured.
Migration assays
Cell migration plays a key role in development, tissue homeostasis and immune response. In the cell migration assay, cells migrate through the semipermeable membrane of a Cell Culture Insert in response to specific stimuli.
Neurite outgrowth
Neurite outgrowth is a fundamental process for neuronal differentiation and critical during nervous system development and regeneration. The membrane of the Cell Culture Inserts can be used to separate neurites from cell bodies to study neurite formation and repulsion.
Tissue engineering
Tissue engineering applies the principles of engineering and life sciences towards the development of bioartificial organs or tissues and the design of reliable models that can be used for drug screening, toxicology testing and research. Cell Culture Inserts are used to model tissue barriers such as skin, airway, intestine and blood brain barrier, among many others.
Transepithelial-Transendothelial Electrical Resistance (TEER)
TEER is a non-invasive technique to monitor the in vitro integrity of barrier tissue models grown on Cell Culture Inserts. TEER assays help to elucidate mechanisms of barrier function, drug transport and to understand diseases where barrier tissues are compromised. Learn more about TEER here!
Transport and permeability studies
Tissue barrier permeability is essential in the selective transport of substances and efficient delivery of drugs and diagnostic agents across interfaces. Cell Culture Inserts are useful in exploring transport and permeability across barrier-tissue interfaces.
3D cell culture
3D cell cultures resemble in vivo environments and the physiological complexity of the organ or tissue of origin, allowing cells to grow and interact in all 3-dimensions. 3D cell cultures are highly relevant in vitro models where human cells can be incorporated. Cell Culture Inserts are excellent supports for 3D cell cultures.