Growing keratinocyte megacolonies, and their use in assays.

摘要

Compounds are assayed for ability to promote epidermal cell growth and migration. The assay methods feature growing "megacolonies", which are large colonies having a surface area greater than 1 cm<2>, and measuring growth during the linear growth phase, or measuring radial expansion during the exponential growth phase. These measurements allow comparison of growth factors and provide good estimates of the biological activity of such factors. A method of producing megacolonies and the megacolonies so produced are also disclosed.