A High Throughput Assay for Neural Crest Cell Migration & Toxicity

这份Fast-Track SBIR合同将开发一种高通量测试，以测试化合物对神经脊细胞的毒性作用。神经脊在胚胎内短暂形成；然后神经脊细胞迁移到不同的位置，并发育成各种组织类型，包括外周神经元、神经胶质和平滑肌以及骨骼。因此，抑制神经脊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。我们利用来自人类胚胎干细胞的细胞，开发了一种神经脊细胞迁移试验。将细胞播种在多孔板中，使其汇合，然后“划痕”形成无细胞区域；然后加入测试化合物，迁移到该区域的细胞数量为 通过自动数字显微镜进行量化。

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.