A low-cost cell migration assay based on gelatin for studying the dependence of ECM stiffnesses

Metastasis is described as the spreading of cancer cells from the primary tumour to surrounding tissue and to distant organs. This cell migration, which is strongly influenced by the microenvironment of the cancer cells, is the primary cause of cancer mortality. An important component of the microenvironment is the extracellular matrix (ECM). Emerging studies suggested that the stiffness of the ECM is a key player for increased cell movement, leading to a higher risk of developing metastasis. Unfortunately, only expensive and complex ECM models are available for research. For simplifying the examination of cell-ECM interactions, a low-cost and convenient gelatine-based ECM model was developed. Variation in the gel stiffnesses, achieved by different concentrations of gelatine and the crosslinker glutaraldehyde (GTA), showed significant change in their cell behaviour. Therefore, our ECM model system is well suited to unveil the role of cell migration, cell adhesion and cell invasion. Student project: A low-cost cell migration assay based on gelatin for studying the dependence of ECM stiffnesses. This movie is part of a student project in the International Project Oriented student Laboratory “IPOL-BioMed” (Kemkemer, Athanasopulu) - Bachelor degree program Biomedical Science at Reutlingen University https://biomed-lab.reutlingen-university.de Acknowledgement: (i) “IPOL – International Project Oriented Laboratory” is part of the Baden-Württemberg-STIPENDIUM for University Students – BWS plus, a program of the Baden-Württemberg Stiftung. (ii) 3R-Netzwerk BW - Ministerium für Wissenschaft, Forschung und Kunst Baden-Württemberg (MWK) (iii) Fond der Chemischen Industrie (iv) Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft e.V. (Fellowship-Programm)

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