Chemotaxis
Chemotaxis refers to the directed movement of cells in response to chemical gradients, a fundamental process in various biological phenomena such as immune responses, wound healing, and cancer metastasis.
To study this behavior, chemotaxis assays are employed, allowing researchers to observe and quantify cell migration patterns under controlled conditions. These assays are crucial for analyzing cell motility, investigating disease mechanisms, and evaluating potential therapeutic agents.
ibidi facilitates these studies by offering specialized labware, such as the µ-Slide Chemotaxis, designed to create stable, reproducible gradients for high-resolution live cell imaging in both 2D and 3D environments. To learn more, explore the subchapters below, which cover key aspects of chemotaxis experiments, including gradient generation, analysis methods, and product recommendations.
Experimental Workflow of a Chemotaxis Assay
ibidi Products for Chemotaxis Assays
Find more products for chemotaxis assays here.
Application GuideDownload the Chemotaxis Application Guide as a PDF. |  |
Scientific Posters
Qualitative and quantitative analysis of slowly migrating chemotactic cancer cells in 3D (PDF) Presented at the Experimental Biology (EB) Conference 2017, Chicago, Illinois, USA. |
Presented at the Experimental Biology (EB) Conference 2018, San Diego, California, USA. |
Selected Publications Using Chemotaxis Assays
Colorectal cancer cell chemotaxis was studied using the µ-Slide Chemotaxis.
Tetrick MG, Emon MAB, Doha U, et al. Decoupling chemical and mechanical signaling in colorectal cancer cell migration. Sci Rep. 2025;15(1):4952. 10.1038/s41598-025-89152-4.
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Live cell imaging of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells was performed in the µ-Slide Chemotaxis using the ibidi Stage Top Incubator.
Prchal-Murphy M, Zehenter J, Fischer M, et al. Repurposing the prostaglandin analogue treprostinil and the calcium-sensing receptor modulator cinacalcet to revive cord blood as an alternate source of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells for transplantation. Front Pharmacol. 2025;15:1444311. 10.3389/fphar.2024.1444311.
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Live cell imaging of single HUVECs during chemotaxis was performed using the µ-Slide Chemotaxis.
Völkl M, Burgers LD, Zech TJ, et al. Homoharringtonine (omacetaxine mepesuccinate) limits the angiogenic capacity of endothelial cells and reorganises filamentous actin. Biomed Pharmacother. 2025;186:118025. 10.1016/j.biopha.2025.118025.
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Chemotaxis of B16-F10 tumor cells was investigated using the µ-Slide Chemotaxis by generating a microenvironmental ROS gradient.
Ren X, Shi P, Su J, et al. Loss of Myo19 increases metastasis by enhancing microenvironmental ROS gradient and chemotaxis. EMBO Rep. 2024;25(3):971-990. 10.1038/s44319-023-00052-y.
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The µ-Slide Chemotaxis was used to apply serum gradients across hydrogel clefts for studying 3D cell invasion.
Stöberl S, Balles M, Kellerer T, Rädler JO. Photolithographic microfabrication of hydrogel clefts for cell invasion studies. Lab Chip. 2023;23(7):1886-1895. 10.1039/d2lc01105k.
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A combined 2D/3D chemotaxis assay for slow-moving cells was developed using the µ-Slide Chemotaxis.
Tomasova L, Guttenberg Z, Hoffmann B, Merkel R. Advanced 2D/3D cell migration assay for faster evaluation of chemotaxis of slow-moving cells. PLoS One. 2019;14(7):e0219708. 10.1371/journal.pone.0219708.
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EGF-guided chemotaxis of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells was analyzed using the µ-Slide Chemotaxis.
Biswenger V, Baumann N, Jürschick J, Häckl M, Battle C, Schwarz J, Horn E, Zantl R. Characterization of EGF-guided MDA-MB-231 cell chemotaxis in vitro using a physiological and highly sensitive assay system. PLoS One. 2018;13(9):e0203040. 10.1371/journal.pone.0203040.
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Application Notes for Chemotaxis Assays
Chemotaxis Assay Videos
 | ibidi Blog Article |
Do you want to get insight in current chemotaxis publications? Then read the ibidi Blog article 5 Methods to Analyze Chemotaxis: Recent Studies Explained.
User Protocols for Chemotaxis Assays
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