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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 16, 2026

Quantitative Analysis of Cell Edge Dynamics during Cell Spreading

Quantitative Analysis of Cell Edge Dynamics during Cell Spreading

Published on: May 22, 2021

The universal dynamics of cell spreading.

Damien Cuvelier¹, Manuel Théry, Yeh-Shiu Chu

¹Physical Chemistry Curie, UMR 168, Institut Curie, 75005 Paris, France.

Current Biology : CB

|March 24, 2007

Summary

Cell spreading dynamics follow a universal power-law, challenging previous theories. This behavior is dictated by the cell

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Examining the Dynamics of Cellular Adhesion and Spreading of Epithelial Cells on Fibronectin During Oxidative Stress

Examining the Dynamics of Cellular Adhesion and Spreading of Epithelial Cells on Fibronectin During Oxidative Stress

Published on: October 13, 2019

Area of Science:

Cell biology
Biophysics
Materials science

Background:

Cell adhesion and motility are crucial for biological processes.
Cell spreading on surfaces involves integrin-ECM interactions and signaling cascades.
Previous models suggested diffusion or actin polymerization regulate cell spreading.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the dynamics of early-stage cell spreading.
To challenge existing paradigms of cell spreading regulation.
To develop a new theoretical model for cell spreading dynamics.

Main Methods:

Quantitative visualization of cell spreading.
Biochemical manipulation using various cell types, surfaces, and drugs.
Development of a theoretical model of cell mechanics.

Main Results:

Cell adhesion dynamics exhibit a universal power-law behavior.
This behavior is independent of common regulatory mechanisms like diffusion or actin polymerization.
A novel model describes cells as viscous cortical shells.

Conclusions:

Cell spreading is dynamically limited by mesoscopic structure and material properties, not solely by molecular interactions.
The proposed model provides a quantitative and predictive framework for cell spreading.
Findings offer new insights into cell mechanics and behavior on substrates.