The present invention generally relates to the field of cell growth and tissue engineering, in particular, an engineered biomimetic culture platform (BCP) that has a nanotextured and micropatterned surface that provides both chemical and mechanical cues designed to mimic the structure of the in vivo extracellular micro-environment. The BCP can be used in assays to assess the migratory behavior and/or potential of a population of cells, such as tumor cells, as well as in screening assays for diagnostic and/or prognostic purposes, or to identify agents that modify the migratory behavior or the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of cells. BCPs as described herein further provide a platform for the identification of protein or genetic targets for the modification of cell migratory or invasion behavior.