Applications
- Trans-endothelial migration under flow conditions
- Co-cultivation of cell layers and transport assays in 2D or in a 3D gel matrix
- Apical-basal cell polarity assays
- Cell barrier model assays with apical-basal gradients
- Cell migration assays (e.g., to investigate tumor invasion or metastasis)
Selected publications:
Salvermoser, Melanie, et al. "Myosin 1f is specifically required for neutrophil migration in 3D environments during acute inflammation." Blood, The Journal of the American Society of Hematology 131.17 (2018): 1887-1898. 10.1182/blood-2017-10-811851
Read article
Rohwedder, Ina, et al. "Src family kinase-mediated vesicle trafficking is critical for neutrophil basement membrane penetration." Haematologica (2019). 10.3324/haematol.2019.225722
Read article
Technical Features
- Microporous silicon nitride membranes from SiMPore Inc.
- Cross-channel structure with a porous optical membrane in between
- Excellent optical properties comparable to a glass coverslip
- Pore sizes 0.5 µm, 3 µm, 5 µm, or 8 µm available
- Membrane thickness 0.4 µm (400 nm)
- For use with objective lenses with a working distance >0.5 mm
- Fully compatible with the ibidi Pump System
- Defined shear stress and shear rate levels in the lower channel (for details see Application Note 11)
The Principle of the µ-Slide ibiPore SiN
The μ-Slide ibiPore SiN consists of a horizontal porous membrane that is inserted between two channels. The upper channel is a static reservoir above the membrane. The lower channel is a perfusion channel for applying defined shear stress on cells, which are attached to the membrane. The upper and the lower channel communicate with each other only across the membrane.
The porous membrane is made of silicon nitride (SiN), a material with very high chemical and mechanical robustness. The 400 nm thick silicon nitride membrane is ideal for imaging and microscopy purposes, without any autofluorescence or transparency issues (like glass). The SiN material can be used directly for adherent cell culture or, optionally, it can be coated with ECM proteins.
Recommended Pore Sizes and Porosities for Different Applications
What Is the Porosity?
Porosity refers to the void volume fraction of the membrane. It is defined as the volume of the pores divided by the total volume of the membrane.
Applications | Example Cell Types | Recommended Pore Sizes |
Permeability and transport studies | Endothelial, epithelial | 0.5 µm | 3 µm |
Cell polarity assays | Endothelial, epithelial, kidney | 0.5 µm | 3 µm |
Co-culture assays | Fibroblasts, endothelial, epithelial, cancer, stem cells | 0.5 µm | 3 µm |
Transmigration, chemotaxis assays | Endothelial, leukocytes (neutrophils), lymphocytes (T cells, B cells) | 3 µm | 5 µm | 8 µm |
Invasion, migration, and metastatic potential assays | Monocytes, macrophages, lymphocytes (T cells, B cells), cancer, endothelial, epithelial, fibroblasts, osteoblasts | 3 µm | 5 µm | 8 µm |
Intended Use
These applications have been tested by the ibidi R&D team or by our customers.
Endothelial Barrier Assays
A cell monolayer is cultivated on one side of the membrane.
Co-Culture and Cell Barrier Assay
Two separate cell monolayers are cultivated on each side of the membrane. With this method, signaling, co-culture, and transport studies are possible (e.g., analysis of drug transport across epithelial or endothelial barriers).
Apical-Basal Cell Polarity Assays
Chemical factors inside of a 3D gel matrix lead to the polarization of a cell monolayer that is cultured on the other side of the membrane.
Potential Use
The following examples illustrate further potential product uses. ibidi still needs to test these applications in-house, therefore we cannot provide specific protocols. However, these applications should be possible from a technical point of view.
Trans-Membrane Migration in 2D
A cell monolayer is cultivated on one side of the membrane to observe cellular trans-membrane migration.
Cell Transport in a 3D Gel Matrix
Under flow conditions, the rolling, adhesion, and transmigration of leukocytes towards chemoattractant-producing cancer cells in a 3D matrix can be observed.
Non-Recommended Applications
Due to technical reasons, the following applications will not work with this product and should be avoided.
This product is not intended for:
- Perfusion of the upper channel
- Perfusion of both channels
- Trans-membrane flow
- Filter applications