Advanced permeable support systems for transport studies, co-culture models, migration assays and physiologically relevant cell culture applications.
Corning® Transwell® and Snapwell™ systems are designed to support more biologically relevant in vitro models by allowing nutrients, signalling molecules and metabolites to move across a permeable membrane. These systems are widely used in epithelial and endothelial culture, permeability assays, TEER studies, migration assays, co-culture models and advanced drug transport workflows.
Available in multiple membrane chemistries, pore sizes and plate formats, Corning® permeable supports allow researchers to optimise culture conditions for specific cell types and assay requirements while maintaining excellent reproducibility and imaging compatibility.
- More physiologically relevant cell growth: supports apical and basolateral access
- Wide range of membrane options: PET, polycarbonate and PTFE membranes available
- Optimised for transport and barrier studies: ideal for TEER and permeability assays
- Excellent imaging compatibility: clear membrane options available
- Supports co-culture and migration workflows
- Sterile and ready-to-use: simplifies assay preparation
- Multiple plate formats: standard inserts through to HTS systems
Choosing the Right Permeable Support
Use the guide below to quickly identify the most suitable Corning® permeable support range for your application before opening the detailed product sections.
| Application | Recommended Product Line | Typical Membrane / Pore Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transport studies | Transwell® Inserts or Snapwell™ Inserts | Polycarbonate or PET, typically 0.4 µm | Used for studying movement of compounds across epithelial or endothelial cell layers. |
| TEER / barrier integrity studies | Transwell® Inserts or Snapwell™ Inserts | Polycarbonate or PET, typically 0.4 µm | Suitable for epithelial barrier models and monolayer integrity testing. |
| Ussing chamber assays | Snapwell™ Inserts | Polycarbonate or PET, typically 0.4 µm | Snapwell™ membranes can be transferred into diffusion or Ussing chamber systems. |
| Cell migration assays | Transwell® Inserts or FluoroBlok™ Inserts | Polycarbonate or PET, typically 3.0–8.0 µm | Used for chemotaxis, migration and invasion workflows. |
| Fluorescence-based migration / invasion assays | FluoroBlok™ Inserts | Fluorescence-blocking PET, typically 3.0–8.0 µm | Allows migrated fluorescent cells to be detected with reduced background signal. |
| Co-culture models | Transwell® Inserts | PET or polycarbonate, typically 0.4–1.0 µm | Allows soluble factor exchange while keeping cell populations physically separated. |
| Primary cell culture | Collagen-Coated Inserts | Collagen-coated PET, typically 0.4–3.0 µm | Supports improved attachment for sensitive or attachment-dependent cells. |
| Epithelial / endothelial models | Transwell® Inserts, Snapwell™ Inserts or Collagen-Coated Inserts | PET or polycarbonate, typically 0.4 µm | Commonly used for polarised monolayers, permeability studies and differentiation workflows. |
| High-throughput permeability screening | HTS Transwell® Systems | 96-well HTS format, typically 0.4 µm | Designed for automated screening, ADME/Tox and drug permeability workflows. |
| Imaging applications | Transwell® Inserts with PET membrane | Clear PET, typically 0.4 µm | PET membranes offer better optical clarity for microscopy and imaging workflows. |
Imbros can assist with selecting membrane type, pore size, coating and plate format for your specific workflow or assay requirements.
