Cell motility and chemotaxis test device and methods of using same

A device for monitoring chemotaxis or chemoinvasion comprising:

• support means;
• means mounted to the support means for defining a discrete chamber with the support means by being placed in substantially fluid-tight, conformal contact with the support means, wherein the discrete chamber is adapted to allow a monitoring of chemotaxis or chemoinvasion therein and includes:
• a first well region including at least one first well, the at least one first well configured to receive a test agent therein;
• a second well region including at least one second well, the second well region further being horizontally offset with respect to the first well region in a test orientation of the device, the at least one second well configured to receive a sample comprising cells therein;
• and
• a channel region including at least one channel connecting the first well region and the second well region with one another.

A device for monitoring chemotaxis or chemoinvasion comprising:

• a support member;
• a top member mounted to the support member by forming a substantially instantaneous seal with the support member, wherein the support member and the top member are configured such that they together define a discrete chamber, the discrete chamber adapted to allow for a monitoring of chemotaxis or chemoinvasion therein, the discrete chamber including:
• a first well region including at least one first well, the at least one first well configured to receive a test agent therein;
• a second well region including at least one second well, the second well region further being horizontally offset with respect to the first well region in a test orientation of the device, the at least one second well configured to receive a sample comprising cells therein;
• and
• a channel region including at least one channel connecting the first well region and the second well region with one another.

A device for monitoring chemotaxis or chemoinvasion including a housing defining a chamber adapted to allow for a monitoring of chemotaxis or chemoinvasion therein, the chamber comprising:

• a first well region including at least one first well, the at least one first well configured to receive a test agent therein;
• a second well region including at least one second well, the second well region further being horizontally offset with respect to the first well region in a test orientation of the device, the at least one second well configured to receive a sample comprising cells therein;
• and
• a channel region including a plurality of channels connecting the first well region and the second well region with one another.

A test device including a housing comprising:

• a support member;
• a top member mounted to the support member by being placed in substantially fluid-tight, conformal contact with the support member, wherein the support member and the top member are configured such that they together define a discrete chamber, the discrete chamber including:
• a first well region including at least one first well;
• a second well region including at least one second well, the second well region further being horizontally offset with respect to the first well region in a test orientation of the device;
• and
• a channel region including at least one channel connecting the first well region and the second well region with one another.

A test device comprising:

• support means;
• means mounted to the support means for defining a discrete chamber with the support means by being placed in substantially fluid-tight, conformal contact with the support means, wherein the discrete chamber includes
• a first well region including at least one first well;
• a second well region including at least one second well, the second well region further being horizontally offset with respect to the first well region in a test orientation of the device;
• and
• a channel region including at least one channel connecting the first well region and the second well region with one another.

A test device comprising

• a support member;
• a top member mounted to the support member by forming a substantially instantaneous seal with the support member, wherein the support member and the top member are configured such that they together define a discrete chamber, the discrete chamber including:
• a first well region including at least one first well;
• a second well region including at least one second well, the second well region further being horizontally offset with respect to the first well region in a test orientation of the device;
• and
• a channel region including at least one channel connecting the first well region and the second well region with one another.

A test device including a housing defining a chamber, the chamber comprising:

• a first well region including at least one first well;
• a second well region including at least one second well, the second well region further being horizontally offset with respect to the first well region in a test orientation of the device;
• and
• a channel region including at a plurality of channels connecting the first well region and the second well region with one another.

A method of making a top member of a test device comprising the steps of:

• selecting a predetermined material for the top member such that the top member is adapted to be mounted to a support member by being placed against the support member for forming a substantially fluid-tight, conformal contact with the support member;
• and
• configuring the top member such that it defines a discrete chamber with the support member when it is mounted to the support member, the discrete chamber including:
• a first well region including at least one first well;
• a second well region including at least one second well, the second well region further being horizontally offset with respect to the first well region in a test orientation of the device;
• and
• a channel region including at least one channel connecting the first well region and the second well region with one another.

A method of providing a test device comprising:

• providing a support member;
• providing a top member;
• mounting the top member to the support member, wherein providing a top member comprises selecting a predetermined material for the top member such that the top member is mounted to the support member by being placed against the support member for forming a fluid-tight, conformal contact with the support member;
• and
• configuring the top member and the support member such that they together define a discrete chamber when the top member is mounted to the support member, the discrete chamber including:
• a first well region including at least one first well;
• a second well region including at least one second well, the second well region further being horizontally offset with respect to the first well region in a test orientation of the device;
• and
• a channel region including at least one channel connecting the first well region and the second well region with one another.

A method of monitoring haptotaxis comprising:

• providing a device for monitoring haptotaxis having a housing defining a chamber, the chamber including:
• a first well region including at least one first well, the first well region configured to receive a test agent therein and further including biomolecules immobilized therein;
• a second well region including at least one second well, the second well region configured to receive a sample comprising cells therein and further being horizontally offset with respect to the first well region in a test orientation of the device;
• and
• a channel region with biomolecules immobilized therein and including at least one channel connecting the first well region and the second well region with one another;
• forming a surface concentration gradient along a longitudinal axis of the chamber by decreasing the concentration of biomolecules from the at least one first well to the at least one second well;
• placing a first sample comprising cells in the at least one second well;
• and monitoring haptotaxis of the cells.

A method of monitoring chemotaxis or chemoinvasion comprising:

• providing a device for monitoring chemotaxis having:
• a support member;
• a top member mounted to the support member by being placed in substantially fluid-tight, conformal contact with the support member, wherein the support member and the top member are configured such that they together define a discrete assay chamber including:
• a first well region including at least one first well, the at least one first well being configured to receive a soluble test substance therein;
• a second well region including at least one second well horizontally offset with respect to the first well region in a test orientation of the device;
• the at least one second well being configured to receive a sample comprising cells therein;
• and
• a channel region including at least one channel connecting the first well region and the second well region;
• placing the soluble test substance in the at least one first well;
• forming a solution concentration gradient along a longitudinal axis of the chamber;
• placing a first sample comprising cells in the at least one second well;
• and
• monitoring chemotaxis of the cells.

A device for monitoring haptotaxis including a housing comprising:

• a support member
• a top member, the top member mounted to the support member wherein the support member and the top member are configured such that they together define a discrete chamber, the discrete chamber including:
• a first well region including at least one first well, the at least one first well configured to receive a test agent therein and further including biomolecules immobilized therein;
• a second well region including at least one second well, the at least one second well configured to receive a sample comprising cells therein and further being horizontally offset with respect to the first well region in a test orientation of the device;
• and
• a channel region including at least one channel connecting the first well region and the second well region with one another, the at least one channel further including biomolecules immobilized therein.

A device for monitoring haptotaxis including a housing defining a discrete chamber, the chamber having an opening facing vertically upward in a test orientation of the device and the chamber further comprising:

• a first well region including at least one first well, the at least one first well configured to receive a test agent therein and further including biomolecules immobilized therein;
• a second well region including at least one second well, the second well region further being horizontally offset with respect to the first well region in a test orientation of the device, the at least one second well configured to receive a sample comprising cells therein;
• and
• a channel region including at least one channel connecting the first well region;
• and
• the second well region with one another, the at least one channel further including biomolecules immobilized therein.

A device for monitoring haptotaxis comprising:

• support means;
• means mounted to the support means for defining a discrete chamber with the support means, the discrete chamber including:
• a first well region including at least one first well, the at least one first well configured to receive a test agent therein and further including biomolecules immobilized therein;
• a second well region including at least one second well, the second well region further being horizontally offset with respect to the first well region in a test orientation of the device, the at least one second well configured to receive a sample comprising cells;
• and
• a channel region including at least one channel connecting the first well region and the second well region with one another, the at least one channel further including biomolecules immobilized therein.

A device for monitoring haptotaxis comprising:

• a support member;
• a top member mounted to the support member by forming a substantially to instantaneous seal with the support member, wherein the support member and the top member are configured such that they together define a discrete chamber, the discrete chamber including:
• a first well region including at least one first well, the at least one first well configured to receive a test agent therein and further including biomolecules immobilized therein;
• a second well region including at least one second well, the second well region configured to receive a sample comprising cells therein and further being horizontally offset with respect to the first well region in a test orientation of the device;
• and
• a channel region including at least one channel connecting the first well region and the second well region with one another, the channel region further including biomolecules immobilized therein.

A device for monitoring haptotaxis including a housing defining a chamber, the chamber comprising:

• a first well region including at least one first well, the first well configured to receive a test agent therein and further including biomolecules immobilized therein;
• a second well region including at least one second well, the second well region configured to receive a sample comprising cells therein and further being horizontally offset with respect to the first well region in a test orientation of the device;
• and
• a channel region including at a least one channel connecting the first well region and the second well region with one another, the channel region further including biomolecules immobilized therein.

A kit for monitoring haptotaxis comprising:

• a device including a housing defining a chamber, the chamber comprising:
• a first well region including at least one first well, the first well configured to receive a test agent therein;
• a second well region including at least one second well, the second well region configured to receive a sample comprising cells therein and further being horizontally offset with respect to the first well region in a test orientation of the device;
• and
• a channel region including at a least one channel connecting the first well region and the second well region with one another;
• a sample comprising biomolecules.