The mechanical properties of cells play a key role in regulating a large number of physiological functions. For instance, a change in mobility would allow a single cell to detach from a primary tumor site, infiltrate adjacent tissues, penetrate the vascular walls and finally colonize competent organs. To study the mechanical phenotype of cells, we use a technique kwnon as Traction Force Microscopy and aim at correlating the change in the mechanical properties and the onset of a metastatic phenotype (Movie. scale bar: 0.01 mm).
Further Reading
Makarchuk, Stanislaw; Beyer, Nicolas; Gaiddon, Christian; Grange, Wilfried and Hébraud, Pascal.
Holographic Traction Force Microscopy.
Scientific Reports, 8, 2018