Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 15, 2026

Quantifying Three-Dimensional Cell Migration Within and Into Granular Hydrogel Biomaterials
Published on: March 7, 2025
An integrated approach to the characterization of cell movement
Luciano da Fontoura Costa1, Leandro Carrijo Cintra, David Schubert
1Institute of Physics at São Carlos (IFSC), University of São Paulo (USP), Sao Carlos, Brazil. luciano@if.sc.usp.br
Background:
Most phenomena in developmental biology involve or depend upon cell migration. This article describes a comprehensive framework for the characterization and analysis of trajectories defined by cell movement. The following two perspectives are considered: (a) the behavior of each individual cell and (b) interactions between neighboring pairs of cells.
Methods:
The measurements considered for individual trajectories include the velocity magnitude and orientation, maximum spatial dispersion, displacement effectiveness, and displacement entropies. Interactions between two trajectories are characterized by comparing the respective velocities.
Results:
The potential of the overall framework is illustrated using data of moving cells in different biological environments. The work shows that it is possible to use the new algorithm presented here to characterize cell motility.
Conclusions:
The features of the algorithm were successful in determining the motility changes under different experimental conditions.
Related Concept Videos
Cytoskeletal Coordination in Cell Migration
Cell Migration
Cell Migration
Actin Polymerization and Cell Motility
Actin cytoskeleton dynamics can produce pushing, pulling, and resistance forces that help the cell to migrate.
Microtubules in Cell Motility
Cell Motility through Blebbing
Blebbing Through the Matrix
In multicellular...

