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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Imaging Molecular Adhesion in Cell Rolling by Adhesion Footprint Assay

Imaging Molecular Adhesion in Cell Rolling by Adhesion Footprint Assay

Published on: September 27, 2021

Quantitative reflection interference contrast microscopy (RICM) in soft matter and cell adhesion.

Laurent Limozin¹, Kheya Sengupta

¹Adhesion and Inflammation, CNRS UMR 6212, Inserm U600, Aix-Marseille University, Luminy, Marseille, France. laurent.limozin@inserm.fr

Chemphyschem : a European Journal of Chemical Physics and Physical Chemistry

|October 10, 2009

Summary

Reflection interference contrast microscopy (RICM) precisely measures adhesion dynamics in soft systems. Recent advancements enhance its application for studying cell and soft matter interactions with nanometric precision.

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Area of Science:

Soft matter physics
Biophysics
Microscopy techniques

Background:

Adhesion quantification requires measuring inter-surface distances.
Reflection interference contrast microscopy (RICM) offers nanometric precision and millisecond resolution for studying adhesion dynamics.
Soft systems present unique challenges for adhesion studies.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the principles and recent developments of RICM for dynamical adhesion studies.
To highlight RICM's application in soft matter and cell biology.
To provide practical guidance for RICM users.

Main Methods:

Utilizing Reflection Interference Contrast Microscopy (RICM) for inter-surface distance measurements.
Employing advanced image analysis techniques.
Incorporating multi-coloured illumination for enhanced data acquisition.

Main Results:

Achieved unambiguous quantitative measurements for colloidal beads and model membranes.
Demonstrated RICM's suitability for studying dynamical adhesion processes.
Revealed new insights and applications in soft matter and cell biology.

Conclusions:

RICM is a powerful technique for quantifying dynamical adhesion in soft systems.
Recent technical innovations have revitalized RICM applications.
RICM shows significant promise for cell biology research and soft matter studies.