Application note demonstrates how assay and cell analysis system has enabled scientists to quickly and easily study cell migration and screen for drug compounds that affect that process
A new application note describing the actin polymerisation assay and its use in measuring chemokine-induced chemotaxis is now available from the Guava Technologies website, in the online library section.
Produced in collaboration with the Leiden University Medical Centre in the Netherlands, the research demonstrates how using Guava Express and the Guava PCA cell analysis system has enabled scientists to quickly and easily study cell migration and screen for drug compounds that affect that process.
Further the research illustrates how the use of Guava Express in an actin polymerisation assay can provide an early measure of chemotaxis (the migration of cells toward or away from a chemical stimulus), within seconds of exposure to stimuli.
The researchers conclude that with Guava Express and the Guava cell analysis system that results can be gained more quickly and easily than is possible with conventional methods. Cellular movement in response to chemical signals rpresents a fundamental property of immune cells because it enables their mobilisation and deployment to sites of inflammation throughout the body.
This process of chemotaxis can be measured at its initiation by assaying for actin polymerisation within cells, a physiological requirement for cell movement.
The actin assay can be readily adopted to identify drug compounds that enhance or inhibit chemotaxis or to study pathways involved in chemotaxis. For observing intracellular proteins or quantifying cell surface markers, the Guava Express assay is said to provide superior sensitivity for antigen detection in whole cells.
Even very low levels of the protein/antigen of interest can be detected, providing excellent discrimination between cells expressing low and high levels of protein.
The high sensitivity of the Guava Express assay is due to precise reagent labelling coupled with the unique illumination used within the Guava PCA systems.
The Express assay uses proprietary Guava Express software, a Guava PCA system and optimised Express secondary reagents.
Guava Express assay combines sensitivity with easy data analysis to provide rapid, reliable and objective protein expression results. The broad dynamic range of the Guava Express assay provides the precise discrimination necessary for studying cell receptor up/down-regulation, screening transfectants, evaluating whole blood lymphocyte populations, and many other applications. "Chemotaxis is an important area of study for immunologists, cancer researchers and drug discovery labs," said Angela Schultz, director of marketing at Guava Technologies.
"Use of the Guava PCA and Guava Express allows researchers to identify compounds that inhibit chemotaxis in an accurate and reproducible manner, with much greater ease and speed than can be achieved using conventional cell migration assays.
"The result is greater productivity in the lab, and faster decision making."
