Patent ID: 6395505
Filing Date: 2002-05-28
Classification: C12M

Abstract:
A method for assaying cell activity, comprising the steps of:providing, at each site of a plurality of test sites, a first chamber, wherein a first hydrophobic compound surrounds the first chamber; depositing a first fluid into the first chamber at each site of the plurality of test sites, wherein the first fluid contains a gel-producing compound; providing, at each site of the plurality of test sites, a membrane having a lower surface and an upper surface, wherein the membrane is made of opaque film and has membrane pores such that cells may migrate through the membrane pores but electromagnetic radiation substantially normal to the lower surface and the upper surface of the membrane does not pass straight through the membrane pores; covering, at each site of the plurality of test sites, the first chamber with the membrane, wherein the lower surface of the membrane contacts the first fluid; incubating the plurality of test sites a first time such that the first fluid gels; depositing a second fluid on the upper surface of the membrane at each site of the plurality of test sites, wherein the second fluid has a plurality of cells; incubating the plurality of test sites a second time; directing a first beam of electromagnetic radiation having a first wavelength toward the lower surface of the membrane, at each site of the plurality of test sites; measuring a first quantity of electromagnetic radiation (L2) having a second wavelength thereby emitted, at each site of the plurality of test sites; directing a second beam of electromagnetic radiation having a first wavelength toward the upper surface of the membrane, at each site of the plurality of test sites; measuring, at each site of the plurality of test sites, a second quantity of electromagnetic radiation (U2) having a second wavelength thereby emitted; and determining, at each site of the plurality of test sites, the percentage of cells that have migrated through the membrane pores, wherein the percentage is proportional to ((L2)/(U2+L2)), and wherein the percentage corresponds to the cell activity.