Measurement of mechanical tractions exerted by cells in three-dimensional matrices.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 21076420.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1038/nmeth.1531 and PMC identifier 3056435.
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Abstract
Quantitative measurements of cell-generated forces have heretofore required that cells be cultured on two-dimensional substrates. We describe a technique to quantitatively measure three-dimensional traction forces exerted by cells fully encapsulated in well-defined elastic hydrogel matrices. Using this approach we measured traction forces for several cell types in various contexts and revealed patterns of force generation attributable to morphologically distinct regions of cells as they extend into the surrounding matrix.
Medical subject headings
- Cell Adhesion
- Cell Movement
- Cells, Cultured