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
In general, smaller pore sizes (0.4 and 1.0μm) are used for culturing cells, co-culture applications, and drug transport studies. Larger pore sizes (3.0 to 8.0μm) are recommended for chemotaxis and angiogenesis applications. Please refer to the Applications guide below for more information.
In general, smaller pore sizes (0.4 and 1.0μm) are used for culturing cells, co-culture applications, and drug transport studies. Larger pore sizes (3.0 to 8.0μm) are recommended for chemotaxis and angiogenesis applications. Please refer to the Applications guide below for more information.
Application |
Cell Type |
Pore Size (µm) |
Angiogenesis |
Endothelial, HMVEC, HUVEC |
3.0 |
Co-culture |
Stem, neuronal, and various others |
0.4, 1.0 |
Epithelial Cell Polarity |
Epithelial cells |
0.4 |
Migration |
Endothelial, HUVEC, HMVEC |
3.0 |
Invasion |
Melanoma |
8.0 |
Tissue Engineering |
Human skin model |
0.4, 3.0 |
Toxicity Testing |
Mouse fibroblasts |
3.0 |
Transport and Permeability Studies |
Caco-2 |
0.4, 1.0 |
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
Growth Area Guide for Transwell Inserts
Growth Area Guide for Transwell Inserts
Insert Diameter (mm)* |
Multiple Well Plate or Dish Style |
Insert Membrane Growth Area (cm2) |
4.26 |
96 well |
0.143 |
6.5 |
24 well |
0.33 |
12 |
12 well |
1.12 |
24 |
6 well |
4.67 |
| 75 | 100 mm dish | 44 |
*Values are reported as nominal and may vary due to inherent variability of our manufacturing process. To ensure success, we recommend that researchers validate their methods independent from our reported values.
**24 HTS Multiwell
Growth area guide for Falcon, Corning Fluoroblok, and Corning BioCoat inserts.
Growth area guide for Falcon, Corning Fluoroblok, and Corning BioCoat inserts.
Insert Diameter (mm)* |
Multiple Well Plate or Dish Style |
Insert Membrane Growth Area (cm2) |
3.2 |
96 well |
0.08 |
6.4 |
24 well |
0.31/0.33** |
10.5 |
12 well |
0.90 |
23.1 |
6 well |
4.2 |
*Values are reported as nominal and may vary due to inherent variability of our manufacturing process. To ensure success, we recommend that researchers validate their methods independent from our reported values.
**24 HTS Multiwell
