Measurement of the Traction Force of Biological Cells

Xiao Yu, Michael Cross, Changgeng Liu, David C. Clark, Donald T. Haynie, and Myung K. Kim, "Quantitative imaging of surface deformation on substrata due to cell motility by digital holography," Digital Holography and Three-Dimensional Imaging, OSA Technical Digest (CD) (Optical Society of America, 2012).(presenting May 2012)> pdf

A convenient technique is introduced for quantitatively imaging surface deformation on soft material for cellular adhesion. Quantitative phase microscopy by digital holography is shown to provide efficient and versatile means for quantitatively analyzing cellular motility.

Xiao Yu, Michael Cross, Changgeng Liu, David C. Clark, Donald T. Haynie, and Myung K. Kim, "Measurement of the traction force of biological cells by digital holography," Biomed. Opt. Express 3, 153-159 (2012).> pdf

The traction force produced by biological cells has been visualized as distortions in flexible substrata. We have utilized quantitative phase microscopy by digital holography (DH-QPM) to study the wrinkling of a silicone rubber film by motile fibroblasts. Surface deformation and the cellular traction force have been measured from phase profiles in a direct and straightforward manner. DH-QPM is shown to provide highly efficient and versatile means for quantitatively analyzing cellular motility.

X. Yu, C. Liu, D. C. Clark, and M. K. Kim, "Measurement of Young's Modulus of Polyacrylamide Gel by Digital Holography," Digital Holography and Three-Dimensional Imaging, OSA Technical Digest (CD) (Optical Society of America, 2011).> pdf

A convenient technique is introduced for measuring the Young’s modulus of soft material (polyacrylamide gel) for cellular adhesion with the principles of digital holography.