Work

Traction force microscopy: Bridging cytology and mechanics through optics

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Cells interact with the extracellular matrix and generate traction forces, which play fundamental roles in many cytological activities, such as migration and differentiation. The quantification of these traction forces is a prerequisite for understanding the interaction and regulation between force and functions, which can be accomplished by traction force microscopy (TFM). In TFM, the forces are determined by tracking the displacement of fiducial markers through optical microscopy. The type of fiducial marker, microscopy modality, and image processing algorithms are key factors determining the final resolution of TFM. This review summarizes efforts in three aspects to enhance the performance of TFM and discusses the challenges of further development, particularly from an optical view.

Source: Journal of Innovative Optical Health Sciences

DOI: 10.1142/s1793545826300041

Authors: Ming Liu, Xuefei Chen, Bo Jiang, Chunyang Xiong, Hui Li

Institutions: Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo Institute of Industrial Technology, Peking University, State Key Laboratory of Turbulence and Complex Systems

Language: English

Topic: Cellular Mechanics and Interactions

Subfield: Cell Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,500

Funder: National Natural Science Foundation of China