Epistem has developed a range of preclinical wound healing models to assess the effect of agents on the rate of wound healing and anti-scarring effects.

In vitro wound healing models

Epistem provides three in vitro assays that measure leading edge migration, cell proliferation and "wound" closure rate:

• 96-Well High Throughput Migration Assay
  To measure the effects of multiple test items on cell migration and/or proliferation in a semi-automated high throughput system.
• Scratch Assay
  To measure the effect of agents on keratinocyte migration in monolayer cultures following “wounding”.
• Epithelial Migration Assay
  To assess leading edge migration in keratinocytes which have been seeded in clonal rings

Rate of Healing

Epistem performs both excisional and incisional wound healing studies to assess the effects of agents on the rate of healing using the following parameters:

• Rate of re-epithelialisation
• Rate of wound contraction
• Rate of collagen deposition
• Effect on angiogenesis, inflammation and granulation maturity

Anti-scarring

Incisional wounds are assessed at 10-12 weeks post wounding for the level of scarring. The effect of agents on the macroscopic and microscopic appearance of scarring is assessed.