A method is described for the preparation of a 3-dimensional matrix consisting of collagen type I and primary human fibroblasts. This organotypic gel serves as a useful substrate to assess invasive cell migration because it mimics basic features of tissue stroma and is amenable to many forms of microscopy.
Timpson, P., Mcghee, E. J., Erami, Z., Nobis, M., Quinn, J. A., Edward, M., Anderson, K. I. Organotypic Collagen I Assay: A Malleable Platform to Assess Cell Behaviour in a 3-Dimensional Context. J. Vis. Exp. (56), e3089, doi:10.3791/3089 (2011).