Cited by 4,696Cellular Mechanics and InteractionsCell Image Analysis TechniquesWound Healing and Treatments

In vitro scratch assay: a convenient and inexpensive method for analysis of cell migration in vitro

Liang, Chun-Chi, Park, Ann Y, Guan, Jun-Lin·2007·Nature Protocols

Abstract

The in vitro scratch assay is an easy, low-cost and well-developed method to measure cell migration in vitro. The basic steps involve creating a "scratch" in a cell monolayer, capturing the images at the beginning and at regular intervals during cell migration to close the scratch, and comparing the images to quantify the migration rate of the cells. Compared to other methods, the in vitro scratch assay is particularly suitable for studies on the effects of cell-matrix and cell-cell interactions on cell migration, mimic cell migration during wound healing in vivo and are compatible with imaging of live cells during migration to monitor intracellular events if desired. Besides monitoring migration of homogenous cell populations, this method has also been adopted to measure migration of individual cells in the leading edge of the scratch. Not taking into account the time for transfection of cells, in vitro scratch assay per se usually takes from several hours to overnight.

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Crossref · 10.1038/nprot.2007.30

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Authors
Liang, C.-C., Park, A. Y., & Guan, J.-L.
Affiliations
University of Michigan (US)
Corresponding author
Guan, Jun-Lin
Venue
Nature Protocols
Published
2007-02
Volume
2
Issue
2
Pages
329-333
ISSN
  • 1750-2799 (ISSN-L)
  • 1754-2189
OpenAlex
W2100592123
Cited by
4,696
References
5
Citations by year
2026: 294 · 2025: 308 · 2024: 311 · 2023: 296 · 2022: 327 · 2021: 348 · 2020: 364 · 2019: 346 · 2018: 344 · 2017: 388 · 2016: 320 · 2015: 266 · 2014: 200 · 2013: 193 · 2012: 150
FWCI
18.62
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Nature Protocols (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health
  • National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (HL 73394, R01HL073394)
  • National Institute of General Medical Sciences (R01GM048050, GM-48050)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Cellular Mechanics and Interactions
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Biophysics › Cell Image Analysis Techniques
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Rehabilitation › Wound Healing and Treatments
Keywords
cell migration, cell-matrix interactions, cell-cell interactions, wound healing, live-cell imaging, single-cell migration, transfection
MeSH terms
Cell Movement, Cytological Techniques, Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted, Microscopy, Fluorescence, Microscopy, Phase-Contrast, Staining and Labeling, In Vitro Techniques

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