Patent ID: 8512974

Claim:
A method for assaying cell movement comprising: a) providing: i) a multiwell plate comprising a bottom surface, said bottom surface consisting of polymer or biomaterial; ii) an elongated member configured for use with said multiwell plate, said elongated member comprising a surface that contacts the bottom surface of said well and has an opening therein that exposes said bottom surface of said well to constrain cells to a discrete location within said well when said insert is inserted into said well; and iii) cells b) inserting said elongated member into at least one well of said multiwell plate, wherein said elongated member contacts said bottom surface of said well to define said discrete location on said bottom surface of said at least one well; c) seeding said cells in said at least one well in said multiwell plate; d) incubating said cells with said elongated member in said at least one well; e) removing said elongated member after said cells have attached to said bottom surface of said well, wherein said seeded cells are confined to said discrete location defined by said elongated member f) overlaying said seeded cells with a three dimensional matrix material; g) culturing said cells; h) assaying said cells for movement from said discrete location into said three-dimensional matrix.