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Label-free · Automated · 24-Well · Incubator-based

Cell Migration Assay — Automated Kinetic Analysis

Monitor collective cell migration continuously — wound healing assay, scratch assay, and gap closure kinetics across 24 conditions simultaneously. AI-powered analysis. No manual timepoints. No incubator disruption.

Scratch-Test Wound Healing Assay Gap Closure Analysis Cell Motility In Vitro Migration Collective Cell Migration
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24
Conditions in parallel
5 Minuten
Imaging interval
50+
Veröffentlichungen
Künstliche Intelligenz
Gap closure analysis
L929 fibroblasts · 48h migration · zenCELL owl
Cell Migration Methods Compared

Scratch Assay vs. Transwell vs. Live-Zell-Bildgebung

Three methods are commonly used to study cell migration in vitro. Each has strengths — but only one gives you continuous kinetic data across 24 conditions simultaneously without endpoint staining.

Best for kinetics
Scratch Assay with Live Cell Imaging

Gap created in confluent monolayer. Closure monitored continuously by automated time-lapse imaging inside the incubator.

Full kinetic curve — every 5 minutes
24 conditions simultaneously
No staining, no fixation
Collective migration — physiologically relevant
Compatible with all standard plates
Chemotaxis
Transwell / Boyden Chamber Assay

Cells migrate through porous membrane toward chemoattractant gradient. Crystal violet staining at endpoint.

Chemotaxis quantification
Individual cell migration
Endpoint only — no kinetics
Requires staining and fixation
Cannot reanalyze
Single cell
Manual Microscopy Time-Lapse

Images captured manually at predefined intervals. Cells removed from incubator for each timepoint.

High resolution per image
Incubator disruption at every timepoint
Limited timepoints — misses dynamics
One condition at a time
High operator time investment
zenCELL owl for Cell Migration

Automated Gap Closure Analysis — 24 Wells, Zero Manual Steps

The zenCELL owl live cell imaging system automates the complete scratch assay workflow — from standardized scratch creation (ScratchMaker tool) to continuous gap closure monitoring and AI-powered kinetic analysis.

  • Standardized scratch width across all 24 wells — ScratchMaker tool
  • Continuous brightfield time-lapse every 5 minutes — no manual timepoints
  • AI gap closure analysis — relative gap area, wound closure rate, t½
  • 24 conditions monitored simultaneously — inhibitors, doses, cell lines
  • Remote monitoring from any device — check migration progress from home
  • Export: CSV kinetic data, AVI video, PNG stack — ImageJ compatible
  • 50+ peer-reviewed publications validate the system for migration assays
View Full Scratch Assay Protocol →
Key Metrics You Get

From Raw Images to Publikationsfertige Daten

📐
Relative Gap Area (%)

Gap area as percentage of initial wound area at every imaging interval. Full closure curve from T0 to 100% closure.

⏱
t½ Gap Closure Time

Time at which 50% of the initial gap area is closed. The standard quantitative metric for comparing migration rates across conditions.

📈
Wound Closure Rate (µm²/h)

Migration speed calculated from the slope of the gap area vs. time curve. Directly comparable across cell lines and treatments.

FAQ

Cell Migration Assay — Häufig gestellte Fragen

What is the difference between scratch assay and wound healing assay? +
The terms are used interchangeably. Both describe a method where a gap is created in a confluent cell monolayer and its closure is monitored over time. "Wound healing assay" emphasizes the physiological relevance — particularly for skin biology and regenerative medicine — while "scratch assay" describes the mechanical method used to create the gap.
Which cell lines are compatible with zenCELL owl for migration assays? +
All standard adherent cell lines are compatible: L929, HeLa, MCF7, A549, AGS, HEK293, CHO, PC12, and many more. Primary cells including keratinocytes, endothelial cells, and fibroblasts have also been validated. The system works with any cell line that forms a confluent monolayer in standard 24-well plates.
Can I study the effect of drugs on cell migration? +
Yes — this is one of the most common applications. Add inhibitors or stimulators after scratch creation and monitor the effect on gap closure kinetics across up to 24 different conditions simultaneously. The continuous kinetic data lets you see not just whether migration is affected, but when the effect begins, peaks, and whether it is reversible.
How is zenCELL owl different from Incucyte for migration assays? +
For brightfield scratch assay and wound healing assay applications, zenCELL owl delivers equivalent or superior results at over 90% lower cost. Key differences: zenCELL owl fits inside any existing incubator (Incucyte S3 does not), has 5MP resolution vs. 1.7MP, includes free ImageJ integration, and has no annual licence fees. For fluorescence-based migration assays, Incucyte S3 supports additional fluorescence channels that zenCELL owl does not.

Run Your Cell Migration Assay with zenCELL owl

24 wells. Automated. Continuous kinetic data. See it live in a free 20-minute demo — real cells, real incubator, full software.

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