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Updated: May 25, 2026
Pattern Generation for Micropattern Traction Microscopy
Published on: February 17, 2022
Measurement of the traction force of biological cells by digital holography
Xiao Yu1, Michael Cross, Changgeng Liu
1Digital Holography and Microscopy Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA.
Abstract:
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.
