Grid etcher

Abstract

An apparatus and process for monitoring migratory cell proliferation with restricted migration on a substrate includes providing a substrate, coating the substrate with extracellular matrix, plating cells suspended in cell culture media on extracellular matrix, and placing intersecting channels across the extracellular matrix components by removing the extracellular matrix components from the channels to isolate islands of the extracellular matrix components on the substrate. When the cells are immersed with a fluid, migration of the cells is confined to the isolated islands of the extracellular matrix components, permitting long-term observation of a migratory population.

1 . A device for making channels in extracellular matrix on a substrate comprising: 
 a plate to support a substrate coated with extracellular matrix;    a frame placed over said substrate and said plate having an aperture which allows working access to at least a portion of said extracellular matrix; and,    an etching tool having multiple tines which, when said tines traverse across said extracellular matrix in the region defined by said aperture, creates channels within said extracellular matrix.    
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said tines are evenly spaced in said etching tool and each have a rectangular cross-section.  
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said aperture has a rectangular shape.  
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said frame makes a watertight seal with said substrate which allows said extracellular matrix to be maintained in a liquid media.  
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said etching tool has two sets of tines which can be used for removing extracellular matrix.  
     
     
         6 . An etching assembly comprising: 
 a plate capable of supporting a substrate;    a frame having an aperture which is capable of attaching over a substrate to said plate; and,    an etching tool having multiple tines wherein said tines can penetrate through said frame aperture to be capable of etching material away from an underlying substrate.    
     
     
         7 . The etching assembly of  claim 6  wherein said etching tool tines are evenly spaced and each have a rectangular cross section.  
     
     
         8 . The etching assembly of  claim 6  wherein said aperture has a rectangular shape and said frame is attached to said plate with screws.  
     
     
         9 . The etching assembly of  claim 6  further comprising a substrate coated with extracellular matrix.  
     
     
         10 . The etching assembly of  claim 6  wherein a watertight seal is formed in said frame aperture when said frame is affixed over a substrate to said plate.  
     
     
         11 . A process for making channels in extracellular matrix on a substrate comprising the steps of: 
 providing a planar substrate;    coating said substrate with extracellular matrix;    selecting an etching device comprising a frame with an aperture and an etching tool with multiple tines;    projecting the tines of said etching tool through said frame aperture and using said tines to remove channels of extracellular matrix on said substrate within the region defined by said frame aperture.    
     
     
         12 . The process of  claim 11  wherein said tines are evenly spaced and have a rectangular cross-section.  
     
     
         13 . The process of  claim 11  wherein channels of extracellular matrix are removed in an intersecting pattern to create islands of extracellular matrix.  
     
     
         14 . A process for making channels in extracellular matrix with cells on a substrate comprising the steps of: 
 providing a planar substrate;    coating said substrate with extracellular matrix;    plating migratory cells onto the extracellular matrix to create a matrix with cells;    allowing the cells to adhere to the extracellular matrix;    selecting an etching device comprising a frame with an aperture and an etching tool with multiple tines;    projecting the tines of said etching tool through said frame aperture and using said tines to remove channels of extracellular matrix on said substrate within the region defined by said frame aperture.    
     
     
         15 . The process of  claim 14  wherein said tines are evenly spaced and have a rectangular cross-section.  
     
     
         16 . The process of  claim 14  wherein channels of extracellular matrix are removed in an intersecting pattern to create islands of extracellular matrix.