Measure Cell Traction Forces

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BACKGROUND Cell traction forces (CTFs), the traction forces generated by cells, play a major role in cell growth, proliferation, migration, invasion, and disease progression. CTFs generated by cells is an indicator of cellular function; therefore, study of CTFs allow real time noninvasive evaluation of cell functions/ status during longterm culture. Better understanding of these forces in response to various drugs and molecules can lead to the development of more effective drugs for various treatment.  Cell traction force microscopy (CTFM) is a well established method to analyze CTFs; however, the known methods are deficient in that they do not allow realtime monitoring of CTFs during culture and require undesirable interventions during the monitoring process. The current invention overcomes these deficiencies with a compliant, hydrogel based culture dish that allow realtime, noninvasive evaluation of cell traction forces in long term cell cultures.    SUMMARY A cell well includes polyacrylamide or other hydrogels coated with ECM proteins A micro-grid pattern stamped or etched at the bottom of the slide and two different fluorescent beads embedded in the gel allows both the precise localization of cell(s) and measurement of gel deformation over multiple time points in real time The combination of large green fluorescent beads and the micro-grid pattern allows the precise localization of the same cell(s) over the duration of the experiment    ADVANTAGES Unlike current methods, the cells need not be removed during observation, thus avoiding potential contamination of the cell culture The same cell can be followed for an extensive period of time Cost and time efficient - the same culture is prepared and followed rather than preparing multiple cultures that need to be removed during observation Gateway into better understanding and treatment development for major diseases such as cancer and immune diseases