A High Throughput Assay for Neural Crest Cell Migration & Toxicity

这份快速通道SBIR合同将开发一种高通量分析方法来测试化合物对神经嵴细胞的毒性作用。神经嵴在胚胎内短暂形成；然后，神经嵴细胞迁移到不同的部位，发育成各种组织类型，包括周围神经元、神经胶质和平滑肌以及骨骼。因此，抑制神经嵴细胞迁移或具有其他毒性作用的化合物将对胚胎发育产生深远影响。我们已经开发了一种神经嵴细胞迁移试验，利用来自人类胚胎干细胞的细胞。细胞在多孔板中播种，使其达到合流，然后“划伤”形成无细胞区；然后添加测试化合物，迁移到该区域的细胞数量为

This Fast-Track SBIR contract will develop a high throughput assay to test compounds for toxic effects on Neural Crest cells. The Neural Crest forms, transiently, within the embryo; the Neural Crest cells then migrate to different sites and develop into various tissue types, including peripheral neurons, glial and smooth muscle, and bone. Thus, compounds that inhibit Neural Crest cells migration or have other toxic effects, will have profound effects on embryonic development. We have developed a Neural Crest Cell Migration assay Neural Crest cells, utilizing cells derived from human embryonic stem cells. The cells are seeded in multi-well plates, allowed to reach confluence, then "scratched" to form a cell-free region; test compounds are then added and the number of cells that migrate into the area are quantified via automated digital microscopy.