Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
size and composition as well as on substrate properties (Das
et al.
, 2008;
Krishnan
et al.
, 2010). In addition, when combined with time-lapse whole
cell tracking, TFM can provide information on the movement of cells and
the spatial distribution of forces applied at adhesion sites as the cell is pro-
pelled forward (Borghi
et al.
, 2010).
Finally, the emergence of intravital microscopy and its expanding use
promises to have a signifi cant impact on tracking cell movement
in vivo
.
This technique involves the dynamic visualization of cellular processes
in
vivo
in small animals using multiphoton excitation fl uorescence microscopy.
Intravital microscopy provides the ability to visualize and track individual
cells as they migrate within live animals, and the impact of this approach has
recently been demonstrated (Oliveira
et al.
, 2010; Fooksman
et al.
, 2010).
In summary, it is evident from the preceding discussion that there is no
'ideal' assay for either cell adhesion or motility in terms of simplicity, repro-
ducibility and sensitivity. The selection of an appropriate assay depends on
the particular cellular system of interest, available technology and com-
promises made between ease of use and required characterization metric.
Given the complexity of highly regulated cellular functions, a combination
of more than one assay may be necessary in order to test a given hypothesis.
Moreover, technologies will continue to be developed in efforts to address
the limitations of each approach.
3.7 References
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