Wound Healing - (Jan/12/2006 )

Hi,

I'm testing the effect of a novel peptide on cellular migration and have decided to use a simple wound healing assay. The protocols that I have found have mentioned the coating of 60 mm dishes with a ECM like substrate, such as fibronectin or matrigel. Is this really necessary if I'm just comparing the rates of migration between peptide treated / control cells?

-CW

hi,
i think you should coat plates in two cases: 1-if youer cells do not attach to plastic
2-if you want to check effects that involve specific activation of integrin receptors.
in your case it will be better not to cover thus making sure to evaluate the migratoric effects of your factor and not complicating it with mixed effects that maybe with activation of integrins.