THINCERT® 96 WELL HTS INSERT

The ThinCert 96 well HTS insert offers a high-throughput solution for cell-based membrane applications. Whether starting anew or transitioning from less effective options, you will benefit from clear research advantages including reliable performance, higher throughput, and significantly reduced assay expenses.

The product family offers a diverse selection of membrane specifications (pore size and density) that - depending on the pore density- allow for increased membrane transparency for best-in-class imaging. 

The automation-compatible 96 well inserts are highly versatile and can be utilised for various applications such as transport, secretion, and diffusion studies, migration/invasion experiments, co-cultures, and the generation of tissue models (e.g., endothelia and epithelia). 

The two-component system comprises a 96 well porous membrane plate manufactured entirely from polycarbonate and a corresponding polystyrene receiver plate. The tissue culture treated PC membrane allows for an ideal exchange of nutrients and substances, creating in-vivo like cultivation conditions to facilitate optimal cell growth, monolayer formation, and tissue differentiation. The access ports ensure a convenient accessibility of the lower (basolateral) compartment with pipettes, automated liquid handling robots as well as electrodes for transepithelial electric resistance (TEER) measurements.

Key facts

  • 96 well system - for high-throughput applications
  • Patented assembly technology – robust and reliable bonding of membrane
  • Excellent membrane flatness – optimal and reproducible cell culture conditions
  • Optimised fit – prevention of media wicking
  • Enlarged access ports – convenient access for pipettes, robots and TEER electrodes

The ThinCert® 96 well HTS inserts are suitable for a wide range of applications including:

  • Transport, secretion and diffusion studies
  • Migrational experiments
  • Cytotoxicity testing
  • Co-cultures
  • Trans epithelial electric resistance (TEER) measurements
  • Primary cell culture

Small pore sizes (0.4 µm) are suitable for co-cultivation, transportation, secretion, and diffusion studies.

The 0,4 µm membrane is offered with two membrane configurations:

  • A translucent version with a pore density of 1 x 108/cm2 for experiments that need highest diffusion rates while imaging is not required.
  • A transparent version exclusively designed for applications that require both high diffusion rates as well as microscopic readouts. This is assured by a special pore arrangement and a high pore density of 2 x 107/cm2.

Larger pore sizes (3 µm and 8 μm) are suitable for migration and invasion studies.

The membrane of the product versions with 3 µm and 8 µm pore size is transparent for microscopic inspections.

Overview of main applications

Migration/ Invasion assay

Cell migration and invasion are fundamental processes that play a crucial role in numerous physiological and pathological events, such as morphogenesis, tissue repair, inflammation, and tumorigenesis. The availability of in-vitro assays to study cell migration is of great importance for a better understanding of the underlying biological mechanisms and for the development of therapeutic interventions. The filter assay is a standard in-vitro model used to study cell migration. This assay utilises a two-compartment system in which cells are induced to migrate from an upper compartment through a porous membrane (3 or 8 µm pore size) into a lower compartment, following the gradient of a chemoattractant.

Selecting the right pore size for common cell types

Cell type

Example

Pore size recommendation (µm)

Epithelial cells

MCF7, MDA-MB-231

3

Endothelial cells

HUVEC, HMVEC

3

Polymorphonuclear neutrophis

-

3

Lymphocytes

T cells, B cells

3

Fibrosarcoma cells

NIH3T3, HT1080

8

Leukocytes

Macrophages, Monocytes

8

Dendritic cells

BMDC

8

Co-culture

Co-culture studies involve the cultivation of two or more different types of cells or microorganisms in the same environment, allowing scientists to explore the dynamic interactions that occur between them. These studies provide insights into various biological processes, including cell signalling, proliferation, differentiation and the restoration of heterocellular functions (e.g., blood-brain barrier). ThinCert® 96 well HTS insert offers a versatile platform for seeding cells in both the upper and lower compartments facilitating the exchange of molecules between these cell populations through its 0.4 µm pore-sized membrane.

Transport Studies

With the help of transport studies researchers can assess drug permeability, evaluate the integrity of epithelial or endothelial barriers, and study the transport mechanisms of compounds within a controlled laboratory setting. These studies are instrumental in drug development, toxicology assessments, and understanding physiological processes related to cellular transport, offering valuable insights into drug efficacy and safety. ThinCert® 96 well HTS inserts with a pore size of 0.4 µm are recommended for this application.

Air-liquid-interface cell culture

Air-liquid interface cell culture (ALI) offers the capability to create robust and fully functional 3D in vitro human airway cell models, replicating the characteristics of respiratory tract epithelia. This is achieved by exposing the apical side of the cells to air, while they continue to receive essential nutrients and differentiation factors through a porous membrane from the culture medium. These advanced models empower researchers to delve into both physiological and pathological aspects of the respiratory tract. We recommend to use the ThinCert® 96 well HTS insert with a pore size of 0.4 µm for this purpose.

Take your next step in HTS

Want to know more about high-throughput migration assays or air lift culture?

Discover our HTS Solutions blog.

Productlist

IFU CELLdisc with closed filling caps (-CF1/ -CF2)
IFU Instructions for Use / PDF, 457 KB
IFU CELLdisc
IFU Instructions for Use / PDF, 961 KB
Application Note: ThinCert® 96 Well HTS Insert - Migration Assay
Application Notes / PDF, 1,018 KB
ThinCert® 96 Well HTS Insert (3 μm and 8 μm)
Flyer / PDF, 453 KB
Application Note: siRNA dependent gene silencing in HeLa cells cultivated on
Application Notes / PDF, 508 KB
Labware & Research BioScience Product Catalogue
Product Catalogue / PDF, 37 MB
Cell Culture
Brochure / PDF, 7 MB
ThinCert® 96 Well HTS Insert
Flyer / PDF, 630 KB
Application Note: ThinCert® 96 Well HTS Insert - Air Lift Culture
Application Notes / PDF, 591 KB
Application Note: Cultivation and Differentiation of Human Adipose Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells with CELLSTAR® and CELLCOAT® Cell Culture Products
Application Notes / PDF, 539 KB
Application Note: Improved Cultivation and Differentiation of Embryonic Stem Cells
Scientific Publications / PDF, 2 MB
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