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Updated: May 8, 2026

Polyacrylamide Gels for Invadopodia and Traction Force Assays on Cancer Cells
Published on: January 4, 2015
The cellular mechanics of an invasive lifestyle
Amir Sanati Nezhad1, Anja Geitmann
1McGill University and Génome Québec Innovation Centre, Biomedical Engineering Department, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
Abstract:
Invasive behaviour is the hallmark of a variety of cell types of animal, plant, and fungal origin. Here we review the purpose and mechanism of invasive growth and migration. The focus is on the physical principles governing the process, the source of invasive force, and the cellular mechanism by which the cell penetrates the substrate. The current experimental methods for measuring invasive force and the modelling approaches for studying invasive behaviour are explained, and future experimental strategies are proposed.
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