The study of cell motility by cell traction force microscopy (CTFM)

Abstract

Migration is a vital characteristic of various cell types and enables various cellular functions during development and wound healing. Cell movement can be measured by monitoring cell traction forces, which are generated by individual cells and transmitted to the substrate below the migrant cells. This method, termed cell traction force microscopy (CTFM), has the advantage of directly measuring the "cause" (i.e., cell traction forces, CTFs) of cell movement rather than the "effect" (i.e., cell movement itself). This chapter details the methods involved in measuring cell traction forces. Several examples are also given to illustrate various applications of CTFM in cell biology research.