A new 3D finite element-based approach for computing cell surface tractions assuming nonlinear conditions.

Area of Science:

• Biophysics
• Cell Biology
• Computational Mechanics

Background:

• Understanding cell migration forces is crucial for studying diseases like cancer and angiogenesis.
• Obtaining precise 3D data on cell forces is experimentally challenging.
• Integrating experimental workflows with computational postprocessing is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a computational methodology for quantifying cell-exerted forces in 3D.
• To link traction force microscopy (TFM) experiments with inverse problem solving for mechanical analysis.
• To enable accurate measurement of cell migration forces under large deformations.

Main Methods:

• Utilized traction force microscopy (TFM) on microfluidic chips.
• Developed an automated workflow linking TFM experiments to an inverse problem solver.
• Employed the finite element method (FEM) for iterative inverse problem resolution, considering finite deformations and nonlinear materials.
• Reconstructed cell geometry and recovered extracellular matrix (ECM) displacements for input.

Main Results:

• Successfully extracted cell traction forces from experimental data.
• Demonstrated the robustness of the computational methodology through theoretical and real-case applications.
• Obtained cell surface traction forces in the undeformed configuration after mathematical postprocessing.

Conclusions:

• Developed a novel computational procedure enhancing 3D inverse problem solving for cell mechanics.
• The methodology accommodates large deformations and is not limited by specific material formulations.
• Successfully bridged the gap between experimental imaging and mechanical computations for cell force analysis.