Permeable Supports Selection Guide | Inserts | Corning

Follow these steps to select the optimal insert for your research.

1. Select a Membrane

1. Select a Membrane

Permeable supports are available with three materials of construction:

PC (Polycarbonate)

Transwell® Permeable Supports are available in a broad range of pore sizes from 0.4 to 8.0 μm. This high pore density membrane is suitable for a variety of applications. It allows for maximum diffusion when studying transport, secretions, or drug uptake.

PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene)

Collagen-coated PTFE membranes are available in limited pore sizes (0.4 and 3.0 μm). These coated membranes promote cell attachment and allow cells to be visualized during culture.

 

PET (Polyester or Polyethylene Terephthalate)

Several PET membrane types are available:

  • Transwell-Clear and Falcon® Transparent PET inserts permit sufficient optical transparency for visualization of cell outlines by phase contrast microscopy. 
  • Falcon high density (HD) PET membranes have a high pore density, which allows maximum diffusion of materials between the insert and receiver plate. 
  • Corning® FluoroBlok™ light-blocking PET membrane is also available for simplified cell-based assays. This unique membrane blocks >99% of light transmission from 400 to 700nm and is ideal for both endpoint and kinetic cell invasion, migration, and chemotaxis assays.

2. Select a Pore Size

3. Select a Format and Surface Treatment

3. Select a Format and Surface Treatment

  • Individual inserts are used with 6, 12, and 24 multiple well plates. A large, single-well format is also available in a 100mm dish.
  • HTS insert plates are available in either 24 or 96 well formats with special receiver plates and single-well reservoirs to facilitate automation and ease of handling.
  • Snapwell™ inserts are designed for use with diffusion or Ussing chambers.
  • Netwell® inserts are used as tissue carriers or explants at the air-media interface. The inserts are available in 6 or 12 well plates.

For many applications, an extracellular matrix (ECM) coating can improve cell attachment, differentiation, and signaling. Compared to self-coated inserts, pre-coated Corning BioCoat™ inserts reduce handling steps and can enhance data reproducibility. Custom coatings and configurations are also available.

Growth Area Guide